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Editor of the year accolade for Sunday news chief

The editor of a Sunday newspaper which doubled sales during the Scottish independence referendum has been named his group’s editor of the year.

The Newsquest-owned Sunday Herald was the only newspaper in Scotland to back a Yes vote in last year’s referendum.

It later revealed that its internal figures showed a circulation of 49,921 for its more recent edition – a year-on-year increase of 111pc.

The sales boost earned Richard Walker the title of editor of the year at Newsquest’s annual Excellence Awards held in central London earlier this week.

Selfie assured  . . . readers of the Sunday Herald make up the warp round montage for the only paper backing the 'Yes' vote for independence

Selfie assured . . . readers of the Sunday Herald make up the wrap round montage for the only paper backing the ‘Yes’ vote for independence

The Sunday Herald was also named newspaper of the year in this week’s ceremony at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall.

Journalist of the year was Samantha Harman of the Dorset Echo while Simon Dack of The Argus, Brighton was named photojournalist of the year.

Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker said: “These Newsquest wide awards recognise the achievements, innovation and outstanding contributions made by our employees across the group.

“All of the winners are very well deserved and worthy of mention, but in particular I would highlight the success of Worcester, Publishing Centre of the Year, which achieved year on year growth in both advertising and total revenues in 2014, and the Sunday Herald, Newspaper of the Year, which outstripped all other UK and Scottish newspapers in achieving double digit percentage copy sales growth in 2014.”

The full list of winners was as follows:

Newspaper of the Year – Sunday Herald

Publishing Centre of the Year – Worcester

Editor of the Year – Richard Walker, Sunday Herald

Journalist of the Year – Samantha Harman, Dorset Echo

Digital media award – David Johnson, Newsquest North West

Photojournalist of the Year – Simon Dack, The Argus, Brighton

Senior Ad Manager of the Year – Caroline Smith, Stourbridge

Sales Executive of the Year – Emma Liley, Kendal

Innovator of the Year – Jenny Thompson, Newsquest North East

Unsung Hero – Howie Blanks, Brighton

6 comments

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  • February 13, 2015 at 9:00 am
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    Well done Richard. The rest scoffed while you won new readers.

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  • February 13, 2015 at 10:12 am
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    So an American company rewards a UK paper for its role in trying to break up Britain. Shameful.

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  • February 13, 2015 at 5:33 pm
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    So how is the National going – oh yes down the tubes fast. I wonder what the Herald on Sunday’s new figures reveal?

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  • February 13, 2015 at 6:19 pm
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    What this does show is that editors in Newsquest are completely free from interference from above – the line they take over controversial issues is entirely down to them. It’s a model others should applaud, not snipe at.

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  • February 14, 2015 at 5:18 pm
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    Well done Dack and Blanks at Argus. Real stalwarts on a struggling paper and some good news for hard working Hollingbury crew.

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  • February 15, 2015 at 9:25 am
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    And the awards took place in …. London …. Ta da

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