Raeburn retiring from training body

THE director of the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society is one of four directors of the National Council for the Training of Journalists to announce they are retiring.

Jim Raeburn, who is also a director of the Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association, representing publishers of weekly newspapers, has been on the NCTJ board since 1993.

He is stepping down along with Bob Norris, John Ryan and Bernie Saunders, Norris the longest-serving of the quartet.

Said Raeburn: “In my 13 years on the board of the NCTJ, I’ve seen it go from its lowest point to an organisation that is now extremely strong – under the direction of Joanne Butcher, chief executive, and Kim Fletcher, chair. It has now earned the respect and support of the newspaper industry and is an organisation really going forward.”

Added Fletcher: “We are sad to be losing four of our longest serving directors given the huge contribution and commitment they have made to our work over many years. We will miss them all and hope that they will keep in touch as we move to our next stage of development.”

The NCTJ will be announcing new appointments to the board in the New Year.