People and Business: Axel's roses

COLIN MORRISON, formerly of EMAP, and Stephen Barden, former editor-in- chief of TV-AM and general manager of BSkyB, have been recruited by Axel Springer, the German publishing giant, to set up a UK operation.

Axel Springer pondered bidding for the Mirror Group last year but pulled back. Mr Morrison will head up Axel's publishing venture with Mr Barden doing TV. Gus Fischer, the former News International man who leads Axel, reckons the UK media is ripe for exploitation.