Scotsman staff spared compulsory redundancies amid news shake-up

NO compulsory redundancies are expected at the HQ of The Scotsman newspaper following the introduction of a new content management system that will reduce the number of sub-editors required at The Scotsman and sister titles, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News.

According to an internal memo, the dozen or so production posts facing the threat of redundancy – following the introduction of the Atex content management system – will not involve anyone being forced to leave.

Says the memo: “We have received a number of applications for voluntary redundancy and we are now in the process of informing applicants of the result.

“As things stand, we do not envisage any compulsory redundancies.”

The new software system, which is currently being rolled out across Johnston Press publications, UK-wide, is expected to go fully live at The Scotsman a week on Thursday. Its sister titles are to see Atex implemented three days beforehand.

Meanwhile, a new news editor has been appointed at The Scotsman, following a string of editorial changes set to take effect at the Edinburgh-based title later this month.

Chris Marks has been promoted from deputy news editor and will now be tasked with overseeing daily news coverage and management of the reporting team. He will report to assistant editor, Frank O’Donnell, has been charged with responsibility for features, taking over from Lee Randall who will continue as a senior features writer.

Alan Greenwood, the editor of scotsman.com, will succeed Marks as deputy news editor.

Also on the news desk will be Tanya Thompson who has been entrusted with the assistant news editor position.