A senior editorial director with the Press Association is leaving the news agency after 12 years ahead of the publication of her first novel.

Clare Johnston is quitting on Thursday as PA’s editorial director for Scotland and Ireland, a role she has held since 2005.

She is leaving in preparation for her first novel Polls Apart to be released next year, while she will also pursue freelance and consultancy opportunities.

Clare joined PA as a production journalist in Glasgow and has held a number of roles with the agency before becoming editorial director.

Managing director Tony Watson said: “Clare has been a great colleague and ambassador for the Press Association in her various roles over the last 12 years and we wish her every success with her future projects.”

During her time at PA, she was appointed production editor, then Scottish editor in 1999 before moving to the agency’s headquarters in London to work as assistant editor (Teletext) then development manager.

Clare moved back to her native Scotland in 2002 where she edited the agency’s first contract publishing magazine, A Plus, and oversaw the launch of the Community Newswire, before taking on her current role.

She said: “It’s been a pleasure to work for the agency these last 12 years and I take away with me both invaluable experience and a great many happy memories.”