A managing director credited with moving a newspaper publisher “from the Stone Age into the 21st century” has died aged 78.

Tributes have been paid to David Campbell, former MD of Scottish and Universal Newspapers.

David, pictured, held the role from 1974 to 1984 at Scottish and Universal, which published 23 local newspapers across Scotland and is now part of Reach plc’s Media Scotland subsidiary.

He later went on to run West Independent Newspapers, which published titles including the Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald and Largs & Millport Weekly News.

His friend Tony Meehan told Glasgow-based daily The Herald: “David was the only person I knew at that time who recognised the influence that information technology would have on our lives.

“He had the vision to see the potential and the ability to make it happen. In real terms this was moving a major Scottish newspaper publishing house from the Stone Age – in more ways than one – into the 21st century.”

David began his working life in the Merchant Navy before joining George Outram & Co., then-publisher of The Herald, as an advertising representative in 1968.

He then rose through the ranks at Outram’s to become MD at its Scottish and Universal subsidiary.

David became chairman of the Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association in 1983, a year before he left Outram’s to become chief executive at fledgling cable television channel Clyde Cable Vision.

He also bought the former Guthrie group of local titles from Johnston Press, renaming it West Independent Newspapers and serving as its chairman and chief executive.

David was also a former president of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and a Freeman of the City of London.

In a piece for The Herald, Stornoway Gazette editor at large and former Labour MP Brian Wilson wrote: “I got to know David through being MP for Cunninghame North where my comrades generally assumed him to be hostile, largely on the grounds that he lived in a big house in West Kilbride.

“From the first time I met him, nothing could have been further from the truth. He was sociable, open-minded, great company, enthusiastic about any role in which he was involved, shrewd in business and advice, and extremely loyal to friends.

“David is survived by [wife] Moira who cared for him at home in West Kilbride through a long and harrowing illness and to whom sympathy is extended.”