BRENDAN HOPKINS is one of the key senior executives in Group, is on its main board and heads UK operations. His title is managing director, Independent Communications (International) Ltd.
Based in Britain, he oversees the group's 40 per cent interest in the loss making (London) Independent and the company's British regional titles in greater London. It publishes 13 paid for and 18 free newspaper titles.
Last year Independent increased its interest in Newspaper Publishing which publishes the ailing London Independent, and its Sunday sister paper, to 46.4 per cent. Both Independent and Mirror Group, its partner in the London Independent, subscribed under a rights issue to provide new funds of £9 million for the newspaper.
Last month Mr Hopkins realised more than £678,000 after buying Independent shares at an option price and then selling them into the market.