Acting replacements have been appointed to oversee three sister weeklies whose editor is undertaking maternity leave.
Jacqui Walls, who edits the West Briton, Cornishman and Cornish Guardian, will be on leave from this coming Monday.
It comes just a month after Jacqui, pictured left, took on the acting editorship of the Guardian in addition to her existing titles, following the departure of Zena O’Rourke.
David Thomas, currently digital editor of Local World titles in Cornwall, will become acting editor of both the West Briton and the Cornishman.
Scott Harrison, head of news at the Western Morning News, will take over at the Guardian.
David worked for ten years at The Citizen, Gloucester, before moving to Cornwall in 2011.
He has been at the West Briton for two years, first as commercial editor, before moving into the digital editor role 18 months ago.
Said David: “I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity to edit two such fantastic community newspapers, and look forward to steering both titles forward, both in print and online, during Jacqui’s absence.”
Canadian Scott has spent a total of 16 years at the Plymouth-based Western Morning News, starting on the news desk before moving to production and then digital roles.
He previously worked with its sister daily in Plymouth, The Herald, and the Eastern Daily Press.
Prior to that, he was the editor of three titles in his homeland.
Said Scott: “I am delighted to be joining the Cornish Guardian, a paper I have read for years as a long-time resident of South East Cornwall.
“My roots go back to community news so I am looking forward to working with our talented team of journalists to continue to deliver the news, sports and entertainment our communities want in paper, online and on mobile.”
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This company now has more acting editors than an audition for a production of Ace In Hole….
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They got the decision one third right then.
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Kerching!
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Management tactics to approve of.
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Scott’s widely aired views on the quality levels of the Cornish weeklies are a matter of public record, so his appointment makes perfect sense. Good luck!
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Chose the wrong North American, methinks.
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Oh dear.
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Don’t ignore David Thomas, folks. He will do a terrific job. One of the good guys & a real devotee of proper news
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A once great series of newspapers being dragged ever further into a downward spiral by the inept, money-grabbing, short termist management in Plymouth they managed quite well without for so many successful years when the place was managed with care and adherence to proper standards. How very sad.
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It’s not Dave Thomas we are worried about GladimOutOfIt.
(or may I call you Glad?)
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Thos doesn’t change any plans, does it?
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Hard on the heels of the terribly handled launches of the Western Morning News on Sunday and the Monday edition of the Express & Echo, what wonders are about to be foisted on Cornwall, one wonders?
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Altogether now “Team” DCM: “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
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Can we not at least give the guy a chance before coming to conclusions about him?
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Speak to you in, um, four weeks then Sub For My Sins. *waves*
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Yep, gave him a chance until the speech in that first meeting. Game over.
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Ere, pass me one of them there canapey things will you?
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Now come on people – we need to take this goddam internet thing SERIOUSLY!!
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I have every confidence that the Cornish newspapers are in safe hands with the current management team.
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I see the new man is already following the Lemmings of London’s digital policy by spoon feeding that quirker rubbish they are making a big noise about while throwing their newspapers to the dogs.
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