Musson handed chief investigative role

GLASGOW evening newspaper, The Evening Times, has recruited from within in appointing its new chief investigative reporter.

For Chris Musson, the appointment caps a successful year, which included being shortlisted in the Specialist Reporter of the Year category at the most recent Regional Press Awards.

It was a series, Crime on Your Street, which earned Musson the shortlisted place, plus a shortlisting at the Scottish Press Awards – this time in the Campaign of the Year category.

Currently crime reporter, he joined the Evening Times four years ago after being named Press Gazette UK Student Journalist of the Year in 2003. He is 28 years old and the chief investigative reporter post is new to the paper.

It’s understood editor, Donald Martin, wants to focus more on series or in-depth investigations.

Meanwhile, assistant editor, Graeme Smith, has been handed the role of developing the paper’s online coverage, which, says Martin, is “key to [the paper’s] future success”.

Adds Martin, in a memo to staff: “It is vital online content is regarded on a daily basis as being of the same importance as our print operation. It requires executive level management to drive both the cultural changes needed and the expansion of targeted and relevant content.”

Changes in the production team sees Alan Wilkinson promoted to assistant chief sub-editor, with Steven McCombe joining, from today, as a sub.