View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Scotsman editor Ian Stewart moving on after five years at the helm

By James Beeson

The editorial director of The Scotsman Publications has announced he is leaving his role in a surprise move only weeks before the paper celebrates its bicentenary.

Ian Stewart, who has edited daily The Scotsman since 2012 and is also in charge of the Edinburgh Evening News and Scotland on Sunday (collectively known as the Scotsman Publications), will leave his role in March.

In a memo to staff, Stewart said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to have been editor of these titles through what has been a truly significant time in Scotland’s history.

“I leave with the greatest respect and admiration for my colleagues who do an extraordinary job day in and day out.”

Stewart had been expected to lead a celebration of the Johnston Press-owned paper’s 200th anniversary in three weeks’ time. He will step down in March.

In a statement, the National Union of Journalists said: “Ian has guided The Scotsman titles through extremely turbulent times, but always working with the union to limit damage, despite the savage cuts of recent years.

“That he has done so while managing to retain the confidence and admiration of his staff is testament to his management abilities and fair mindedness as well as his professional approach, unflappable under pressure.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“He will be remembered for his staunch defence of the journalism and all products he managed.”

Stewart first joined The Scotsman in 1991 as night news editor and has spent the majority of his career with the three Scotsman Publications titles except for a period with the Scottish Daily Mail, based in Glasgow.

Jeremy Clifford, editor-in-chief of Johnston Press, said: “I would like to thank Ian for his leadership of The Scotsman in challenging times and during one of the most important eras in modern Scottish history.

“As well as the editorial director he also served on the editorial board as my deputy chairman when it was first set up just over four years ago.

“I would like to thank him for everything he has achieved and wish him every success for the future.”

Johnson Press has said it will begin the search for a replacement immediately.

According to the latest figures by ABC, The Scotsman has an average total circulation of 22,740 copies.

The paper has faced a number of cuts in recent years, leading calls for strike action from its staff.

Picture: Jane Barlow/Johnston Press

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network