(Toronto) Postmedia Network Canada announced Friday that Jamie Irving has resigned as executive chairman of the media conglomerate’s board of directors.

The owner of the National Post and several other regional newspapers said Mr. Irving intended to take on other challenges.

He added that senior director Peter Sharpe would assume the role of interim chairman with immediate effect.

Mr. Irving had served on the company’s board since last year, when Postmedia acquired Brunswick News, the media arm of the Irving family empire, for $16.1 million in cash and stock.

He began assuming the role of chairman earlier this year, following the resignation of former Postmedia chairman Paul Godfrey.