Media Movers: Ken Symon, Craig McGill, etc

WELCOME to Media Movers – tracking appointments, retirements, etc among Scotland’s busy media community.

AND firstly, congratulations to financial journalist, Ken Symon, who has been appointed editor of Scottish Business Insider magazine.

He takes up his post on the 14th of this month, succeeding Alasdair Northrop, who is stepping down after 15 years in the role.

Says the magazine’s publisher, Media Scotland: “Ken is former business editor of the Sunday Herald and The Scotsman where he also earned a reputation as a speaker and broadcaster.

“As an investigative reporter at the Evening Times, he won a UK press award for his work on the Poll Tax. Ken brings a wealth of experience and contacts to Scotland’s leading business media job.

“He will be working closely with Michele Aaen, director of Events and Business, as Media Scotland develops the magazine and its hugely-successful events division.”

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ALASDAIR Northrop may be standing down as editor of Scottish Business Insider magazine, but he has no plans to retire.

Instead, he has set his sights on becoming a full-time tourist guide, having last year qualified as a professional Scottish Blue Badge tourist guide – following an intensive, two-year course.

He told allmediascotland.com: “I have been thinking of changing my career for some time now and doing guiding at weekends has convinced me it is something I want to do full-time.

“A background in journalism is actually ideal for being a tourist guide because you tend to be interested in all sorts of things.

“Instead of telling stories in print and on websites you are simply relating them directly to your audience and I love that aspect of being a guide.”

However, he also plans to keep writing and is considering a number of options for the future.

And he is also keen to play a role in the future development of tourism in Scotland.

He added: “I have had a real insight into how the industry works over the last three years and I think there is more we can do to improve the offering for tourists and encourage even more to come to this beautiful country.”

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AND congratulations too to Craig McGill, the well-known digital communications strategist.

He has been appointed Scotland comms manager at international professional services outfit, PwC.

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