A leading broadcast news executive has been announced as the new president of the Society of Editors for the coming year.

Sarah Whitehead, director of newsgathering and operations at Sky News, will succeeed Kamal Ahmed, director of audio at the Daily Telegraph, in the role.

Joy Yates, regional editor at Newsquest Cumbria was elected as vice-president of the Society and in the normal course of events would be expected to become its next president.

Sarah, pictured, joined Sky in 2011 and  held numerous positions including head of international news and head of home news before being appointed director of newsgathering in May 2023.

Said Sarah: “It is a huge honour to be elected president of the Society of Editors and I’m excited about the year ahead and what as an organisation we can do.

“The Society of Editors offers a fantastic space for people running news organisations across the country to get together and I believe that, together, we are stronger and can push on some of the biggest issues in our industry.

“From the questions surrounding AI, disinformation and the continuing concerns around SLAPPS, to ways to promote and sustain local journalism and look after the safety and freedom of journalists to do their jobs.

“The world we’re living in is very demanding but the Society of Editors is a place where, as an industry, we can work together on shared issues and strive to drive change.”

SoE executive director  Dawn Alford added: “We are delighted that Sarah Whitehead, a highly respected news leader at Sky, has been elected as our president for the year ahead.

“A strong supporter of media freedom and open justice, Sarah has contributed significantly to the vital work of the Society over many years and, as we set out our priorities for the months ahead, I look forward to working with her to further advance the Society’s work as a strong, cross-industry body fighting to protect media freedom and high editorial standards.”

Meanwhile Donald Martin, the former editor of The Herald and numerous other titles during the course of his long career, had been awarded the fellowship of the Society of Editors – its highest honour.

Donald, a former SoE president, retried from the society’s board this month having sat on it since 2006.

Announcing the fellowship, Dawn said: “Donald has been a long-standing supporter of the Society of Editors since its early years and he has helped lead and inform our work fearlessly defending media freedom, open justice and the public’s right to know.

“While we are sad to lose Donald’s expertise from our board, this Fellowship recognises his many achievements over several years as well as his dedication and commitment to furthering press freedom both in Scotland and the UK as a whole.”

Donald had previously stepped down as editor of The Herald and Herald on Sunday in 2022 to launch his own media management consultancy.

He said: “It has been a huge privilege to have served on the SoE board over three decades and be a small part in the ongoing fight to protect press freedoms and support the role and importance of the UK media.

“There have been numerous challenges over the years and I have been lucky to witness the transformation of the organisation into the most powerful and influential voice for all media.”

“I’m truly humbled to receive the fellowship award and will treasure it along with the many friendships I have made over the years and the wise counsel I have received from my brilliant colleagues.”