Montgomery's approach paid off

David Montgomery is cordially hated by many who worked with him (on the Mirror , the Indie , and the News of the World ). But, 10 years ago, he had a good idea. British publishing chains were buying small, family-owned newspaper businesses, stripping out costs and making a mint. So were US chains. Why not do the same in Europe – in Norway, Poland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands – and build a British press giant that looked across the Channel rather than the Atlantic for its inspiration? Enter Mecom, and year after year of growth began. It's over now , as Montgomery announces a "planned retirement" and those haters hurl cream buns at his back. But Mecom exists, it, in spite of the crunch, makes profits, and Montgomery surely deserves a small cheer as he winds down. He tried something fresh and daring. It worked. What's so despicable about that?