The editor of one of Scotland’s biggest daily titles is to leave his job at the end of the month, it was announced today.

Jonathan Russell, left, is stepping down as editor-in-chief of Newsquest-owned daily The Herald after two and a half years in charge.

A former editor of the Paisley Daily Express and assistant editor of the Daily Record, Jonathan was appointed to lead the Herald in April 2010.

He also had overall editorial responsibility for its two Glasgow-based sister titles the Evening Times and the Sunday Herald.

According to a report on the Scottish media trade website AllMediaScotland, Jonathan has not been in the office for several weeks.

His departure was announced in a short statement to staff by Newsquest Glasgow managing director Tim Blott.

It read:  “Herald & Times Group editor-in-chief, Jonathan Russell, has decided to leave the company at the end of this month. Managing director, Tim Blott, thanked him for his service.”

Jonathan began his career in journalism as a reporter on the Evening Express in Aberdeen.  In his younger days he played tennis for Scotland at under-21 level.