Australian media company APN, in which Independent News Media (INM) has a 32.2 per cent shareholding, announced yesterday that its chief executive Brendan Hopkins will leave the company at the end of the year.

APN chairman Gavin O’Reilly thanked Mr Hopkins for his contribution, saying that he had “led the company with energy and skill over the past eight years”.

Mr Hopkins was seconded to his current role by IN&M in August 2002.

The APN board has appointed executive search firm Heidrick Struggles to find his successor.