A managing director is set to leave a regional publisher after more than two decades in the industry.

Newsquest has announced the retirement of Graham Morrison, its MD for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Graham, pictured, will be replaced by David Ward, who will be promoted from his current role as commercial director for Newsquest’s Herald & Times group of titles in Glasgow.

Graham served in a variety of management roles at independent publisher Romanes Media Group, including senior director of operations and MD, between 2002 and its purchase by Newsquest in 2015. He then continued as an MD following Newsquest’s takeover.

In an announcement to staff, Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker revealed Graham will retire on 30 June.

In the memo, dated 17 March, he wrote: “I would like to acknowledge Graham’s huge contribution to the business both since joining Newsquest in 2015, but also before that at Romanes Media.

“His strong leadership has been instrumental in the success of the Scottish business, and he has developed a highly effective senior team, which augurs well for the future.

“David, who is currently commercial director of the Herald & Times, brings a wealth of relevant publishing experience and creative expertise, and I look forward to him taking on this new opportunity to lead Scotland’s leading news media business.”

Earlier this week, it was revealed Newsquest is set to make the entire six-strong features team at Glasgow-based daily The Herald redundant.

The National Union of Journalists is planning strike action over the issue and has written to both Graham and David, as well as Herald editor Donald Martin, criticising the move.