Hutcheon to step down as Courier editor

THE editor of the Dundee-based daily newspaper, The Courier, is to step down at the end of next month.

Bill Hutcheon told close staff yesterday that he will be taking early retirement, following 42 years with publishers, DC Thomson, including eight-and-a-half as Courier editor.

Within the last 18 months, the editors of the company’s other Dundee-based titles, The Sunday Post, the Evening Telegraph and the Weekly News have all taken retirement: David Pollington, Gordon Wishart and David Burness. In October last year, Sunday Post editor – the former Herald editor, Donald Martin – had his duties extended to become editor-in-chief of all four titles.

Hutcheon told allmediascotland: “I’ve had a fantastic innings. I am coming up to my 60th birthday and I think it’s time for someone else to take The Courier forward. It’s an exciting time, things are happening here that I am totally in agreement with, but I think someone else should be taking them forward.”

In a statement issued by DC Thomson, company chair, Andrew Thomson, is quoted, as saying: “On behalf of DC Thomson and the directors, I would like to thank Bill for his tremendous contribution to the company.

“Bill has been a key member of The Courier team for many years, having joined the newspaper at our office in Aberdeen before moving to our Bank Street premises in Dundee.

“The Courier remains one of the best-performing regional newspapers in the UK, which is a real credit to Bill’s tenure as editor. We thank Bill for his dedicated service and wish him a long and happy retirement.”