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New editors in Edinburgh as job cuts plan unveiled

Two new editors have been appointed in a wide-ranging shake-up of The Scotsman and its sister titles which could see up to 25 editorial jobs go.

Plans have been announced to merge the news, features, sports, business and politics desks of The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday.

John McLellan, who took over as editor of The Scotsman in February, has now been named as editor-in-chief of the two titles along with the Edinburgh Evening News.

Scotsman deputy editor Ian Stewart will also take on the role of editor of Scotland on Sunday, while Tom Little becomes editor of the Evening News which is set to remain largely independent within the proposed new structure.

Publisher Johnston Press has already made clear that it will look to make the planned job cuts through voluntary redundancies.

It said in a statement: “Discussions with staff and the trade union are underway regarding proposals to merge the content and editorial desk activities of The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday in respect of news, features, sport, politics and business.

“Implementation of these changes would see The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday reporters working as one team across both titles and the creation of a single magazine unit.

“The company has agreed to consider requests for voluntary redundancy and/or changes in existing working arrangements in an effort to avoid the need for compulsory redundancies and is working closely with representatives of the NUJ in this regard.

Johnston Press Scottish divisional managing director, Michael Johnston added: “The objective behind these changes and proposals is to ensure our publications are produced as efficiently as possible in the face of very challenging economic and trading conditions.

“Through careful implementation of the proposals described – and through the skill and professionalism of our editorial staff – the company is sure that the quality, individual style and integrity of our publications will be preserved and improved.”

Staff on The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday were told the news yesterday.

The merging of the sports and news desks and other operations is expected to begin this week. The picture desks were integrated earlier this month.

Comments

Realist (05/05/2009 10:23:14)
Editors? There’a dying breed. many stripped-down “rump” news centres are now run by over-worked chief reporters (at a fraction of the cost of course). Not even a news editor in sight.

BingoBango (05/05/2009 10:59:48)
At least Johnston Press are willing to consider voluntary redundancies, unlike Northcliffe, who just ignore pleas for voluntary and make people redundant at the stroke of a pen

Hack (05/05/2009 21:45:21)
Merger being watched with concern by staff at the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post where the picture desks have already been combined. How long before this happens in Leeds?

Realist (06/05/2009 10:01:01)
where I am in “north” trouble with new editor-free hub “structures” is they have created some needless non-productive junior manager posts and little empires spreading across the country. Watch out, they will soon be at a newspaper near you.