San Diego newspaper sale completed

Beverly Hills investment firm Platinum Equity said Monday that it had completed its purchase of the San Diego Union-Tribune from Copley Press Inc.

Starting its first newspaper venture, Platinum installed Paul Bridwell as the senior executive of the Union-Tribune with the title of chief restructuring officer.

In a news release, Platinum described Bridwell as an experienced turnaround specialist who has served in senior positions at several companies owned by the investment firm.

David H. Black, whose Black Press Ltd. of Canada owns dozens of community papers, mostly in Canada, will be “a senior advisor and partner” at the Union-Tribune but not a member of its management team, said Mark Barnhill, a principal at Platinum.

Platinum hopes that Karin Winner will continue as editor of the paper, Barnhill said. Winner couldn’t be reached for comment.

The sale of the paper to Platinum was announced March 18.