DAMIAN Bates, the editor of The Press and Journal newspaper, has decided to leave the business, after 15 years.
He will continue to work with DC Thomson as chair of [B2B marketing communications agency] Fifth Ring but will step back from The Press and Journal and his role as editor-in-chief of the Aberdeen Journals newspaper business.
Mike Watson, managing director of DC Thomson Publishing, said: “We’re sorry to see Damian Bates leave the company. He’s been a valuable part of our newspapers team and we wish him all the best.
“This change to our senior management team has prompted us to look at how we structure our newspaper business.”
Richard Neville has taken on the role of editor-in-chief of Morning Newspapers, and Alan McCabe has taken on the role of editor-in-chief of Evening Newspapers.
Mike continued: “These appointments have been made to strengthen our products by sharing knowledge across the DC Thomson Group.
“In Aberdeen, we’re working towards our move back in to the city centre and look forward to providing Aberdonians with the latest local news from our new home. We remain committed to providing our readers across Scotland with the best local news, both digitally and in print.”
Damian will leave the business at the end of the month.
He said: “I arrived in Aberdeen with the firm view that I’d stay two years and move on again; 15 years later, I’m still here.
“The north of Scotland has become my home and Aberdeen Journals has been a massive part of my life.
“Having been editor for almost ten years, I’ve worked with and met some fabulous people and had some incredible experiences, but I know I now want to use my skills in other areas and challenge myself in new ways.
“Being chairman of Fifth Ring has given me a taste of that and I hope I can strike out on my own and offer my skills beyond newspapers.
“I have many great friends and colleagues I know I’ll see again and I wish everyone in Aberdeen Journals and DC Thomson the greatest of luck and my very best wishes for continued success in the future.”
ENDS
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