Jonathan Russell named as new editor at Herald

Mr Russell will be editor-in-chief of news operations at the group

The Herald & Times newspaper group has named Jonathan Russell as its new editor-in-chief of news operations and editor of The Herald.

The 40-year-old journalist is currently assistant editor of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail.

He succeeds Donald Martin, 45, who is moving from the Glasgow broadsheet to take charge at the Sunday Post.

Mr Russell said: "It is a huge honour to be appointed to one of the biggest jobs in journalism."

The newly-appointed editor began his career as a reporter on the Evening Express in Aberdeen and also worked on weekly newspaper, the Inverurie Advertiser.

He has held several senior editorial roles, including Scottish editor of the Daily Mirror and editor of the Paisley Daily Express.

Mr Russell added: "I am looking forward immensely to taking up my new post and leading the outstanding team of journalists at The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times."

'Clear focus'

The Herald & Times group is a partner in the Scottish News Consortium which recently won the government contract for STV's Scottish news and a pioneering TV-to-internet news service.

Managing Director Tim Blott said: "I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to the group at this exciting point in our history.

"He brings outstanding journalistic ability combined with a clear focus on and understanding of the needs of our print and digital readers and advertisers in a fast-moving marketplace."

Sales figures

The latest official newspaper circulation figures show The Herald's circulation has fallen over the past year by 8% to 56,000, while the Sunday Herald has stabilised after sharp falls last year, and has averaged 42,500 over the past six months.

Published on Friday, the data shows The Scotsman, its Edinburgh rival, saw circulation fall 7% to 45,900, while its stablemate Scotland on Sunday fell by nearly 7% to 58,500.

Having seen circulation fall faster than their London-based competitors, that has now changed. The most recent figures show it is London 'heavies' that have been suffering the steepest declines over the past year.

The October 2009-March 2010 average, when compared with the year before, saw total circulation for The Guardian down by 15%, and The Times by 14%.

In the red top market, the Daily Record has fallen by 8% over the year, while the Scottish edition of The Sun is stretching its sales lead over the Record.