Crash Test role for Rich

Rich will work with Soutar and his business partner Tim Ewington at Crash Test Media as a consultant on new-product development, product redevelopment and acquisitions and disposals. He will not be involved with ShortList and the consultancy has ruled out further launches of its own new products in the near future.

Rich believes Crash Test Media's expertise in magazines and advertising gives it a compelling proposition in the marketplace. He will initially work four days a week for three months while also looking at "other opportunities" - but he has not ruled out a longer commitment to the media consultancy.

Soutar believes Rich will bring "a new dimension of publishing and advertising understanding" to Crash Test Media, which is working on a number of consumer magazine and online projects.