Andrew Blair has been appointed managing director of Gloucestershire Media, publisher of The Citizen, The Gloucestershire Echo, and The Forester.

Previously deputy managing director, he succeeds Colin Davison who is now group editorial executive for parent company the Northcliffe Newspapers Group.

Andrew, (40), has worked in Gloucestershire since January last year, and had previously been finance director and assistant managing director at the Press & Journal and Evening Express in Aberdeen.

He said: “I look forward to leading the company through the many challenges ahead, ensuring Gloucestershire Media continues to aspire to be a great place for people to work and continues to fulfil its role as the county’s leading local news provider.”

Colin, (56), a former editor of the Lincolnshire Echo and Western Morning News, has advised the Northcliffe board on editorial matters for the past four years and his duties expanded to such an extent that his new position was created.

He will continue to advise directors on editorial issues, strengthen links with editors, develop good practice initiatives, promote efficiency, and support the implementation of Northcliffe policies in editorial. Northcliffe political correspondents also report to Colin.