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New editor named for Johnston Press daily

Alistair BusheA new editor has been appointed to lead a Northern Irish daily following his long-serving predecessor’s retirement.

Alistair Bushe, left, has been announced as editor of the Belfast-based News Letter in succession to Rankin Armstrong, who recently left after 17 years with the paper.

The 38-year-old, from Waringstown, County Down, moves from the role of editor of the Portadown Times and deputy group editor of five other papers within Johnston Press’s Northern Ireland publishing unit.

He will take up his new role on 1 December.  JP said his replacement on the Portadown Times will be announced in due course.

Said Alistair: “Rankin is a hard act to follow but I’m looking forward to getting started with the very hard-working team at the News Letter, and to developing a truly multi-platform publishing operation from our redesigned newsroom in Carn.

“It is an exciting time for the News Letter and for our range of weekly titles as we begin to work together more closely than ever before in the newsroom of the future project.”

Warren Butcher, MD of JP’s North West, Northern Ireland & Isle of Man Newspapers, added: “The standard of applications – both internal and external – was extremely high and it’s a credit to Alistair that he was successful.

“He’ll do a great job with this esteemed title.”

Rankin stepped down last month after 44 years in the industry, the last three of which were as News Letter editor.

He also worked as a sub-editor with the rival Belfast Telegraph for 17 years, before a three-year spell as chief sub-editor with the Irish News.

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  • November 23, 2015 at 1:25 pm
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    I’m a fresh face on the newspaper scene. What’s a sub-editor?

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  • November 26, 2015 at 8:37 am
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    This guy has a job on his hands. Good luck to him.

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