THE editor of the Aberdeen evening newspaper, the Evening Express, has been appointed editor of sister, daily title, The Press and Journal.
Damian Bates succeeds Derek Tucker, who has retired after 18 years at the helm, which had made him the longest-serving editor of a daily newspaper in Scotland.
Bates was made editor of Evening Express five years ago, after having previously been its deputy.
He began his career as a trainee reporter at the Evening Gazette, Middlesbrough, 21 years ago. He then moved to The News, Portsmouth, as assistant news editor before switching to the Bradford Telegraph & Argus as news editor, where he was ultimately assistant editor.
He joined the Evening Express as deputy editor eight years ago.
A statement released this morning by the papers’ managing director, Alan Scott, reads: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Damian Bates as Editor of The Press and Journal effective from 1st March, 2011.
“Damian joined Aberdeen Journals Limited on 4th August, 2003, as deputy editor of the Evening Express and subsequently became editor on 24th April, 2006.
“I am sure you will all join with me in wishing Damian every success in his new role and, as far as his replacement is concerned, I would hope to make an announcement in the very near future as to who that will be.”
