Tony Carlin was today named as the new editor of Glasgow’s Evening Times after beating off outside competition for the role.

Currently group content editor at the Herald and Times Group, Tony takes over a job that has been vacant since the elevation of his predecessor Donald Martin to the role of editor of the Herald and editor-in-chief of both Glasgow dailies more than a year ago.

The position was eventually advertised at the beginning of October, attracting what the group’s managing director Tim Blott described as a “some extremely good external candidates.”

But Tony, the paper’s former deputy editor and its acting editor for the past year, eventually won the day thanks in part to his record of campaigning journalism.

He told HTFP: “It is a real privilege to be named editor of the Evening Times. I have the honour of working with some of the finest journalists in Scotland and I believe that working together we can continue to make the Evening Times the best evening newspaper in the country.

“We undoubtedly have many challenges ahead, but the talented editorial team at the Herald and Times Group are more than capable of meeting those challenges head on and to continue to produce exciting, innovative and campaigning newspapers serving the people of Glasgow and the west of Scotland.”

Announcing the appointment this morning, Herald and Times Group managing director Tim Blott said: “Tony had to compete with some extremely good external candidates for this highly sought-after position as head of Scotland’s best-selling evening newspaper.

“His professionalism and commitment, as well as leading some high-profile campaigns on behalf of Glasgow, won him the role. I am sure you will join me in wishing him well.”

Tony was deputy editor of the Evening Times from July 2006 until January this year when the post disappeared as part of a radical restructure of the Newsquest-owned Glasgow operation.

For the past 11 months his role has included operating as acting editor of the Evening Times as well as having input into content on sister titles The Herald and Sunday Herald.