A journalist who started out as a reporter at a newspaper group nearly 10 years ago has now been promoted to its editorial manager.

Tom McConigley is now leading the 15 titles across Scotland owned by Clyde and Forth Media, after initially starting at the company as a reporter on the Clydebank Post.

Before taking up his new position, he was the editorial manager of Clyde Weekly Press which covers the company’s titles on the West Coast of Scotland, including the Clydebank Post, Dumbarton Reporter and Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette Series.

Now Tom’s new position, which he has taken up with immediate effect, will see him head titles on the East Coast as well, making 15 in total.

He said: “Media is changing day by day and I think I have got some good ideas for the coming year.

“I look forward to leading the team to carry out these innovative ideas. I am looking forward to the challenge – it is a terrific honour.”

After leaving the Clydebank Press, he became editor of the Paisley Gazette, where sales of the title increased by 14.8pc in the ABC figures in 2005 – putting it among the best performing weekly papers.

Tom then became editor of the regional daily Greenock Telegraph where he introduced a new masthead and the paper won the Newsagents Association daily newspaper of the year award in 2006.