Performance-related shares gift awarded to new Johnston Press chief

THE new chief executive of Johnston Press – the publisher of The Scotsman and the Falkirk Herald, among others – has been gifted performance-related shares that could be worth around £500,000.

In a statement issued by the company, Ashley Highfield has been awarded 10,471,204 ordinary shares which he will be able to cash in, in three years time assuming he meets certain performance criteria.

Johnston Press shares are currently priced 5p.

The company is issuing interim financial results on Tuesday.