LONDON: Walstead Group is pleased to announce that Grant Murray has recently joined the group as Group Chief Financial Officer. Grant is replacing Neil Johnson, who has left the business after a handover period. Grant’s initial focus will include leading key finance-related projects over the next 12 months. He is a Chartered Accountant, holds an MBA, and was previously CFO at Channel 5 Broadcasting, Guardian Media Group, Johnston Press, Clarion Events and Talon Outdoor. He has extensive knowledge of private equity and publicly-owned businesses operating in the media sector.

In addition, Ian Southerland, Walstead’s Group Finance Director, is being appointed a director of the group’s ultimate parent company, Walstead Holdings Limited, and also to the board of its subsidiary, Walstead Group Limited.

Mark Scanlon, chairman of Walstead Holdings, said: “We welcome Grant to the group and congratulate Ian on his well-deserved promotion to the two boards. We would like to thank Neil for his contribution to the group since he joined us last year and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Grant Murray said: “I am delighted to be joining the Walstead team and I am looking forward to supporting the further development of the group’s businesses across Europe.”