Donald Martin was yesterday appointed editor-in-chief of the Herald & Times Group and editor-designate of The Herald.

Mr Martin, previously editor of our sister paper, the Evening Times, succeeds Charles McGhee, who spent almost three years as editor of The Herald.

He takes over his new role today, leading The Herald, Sunday Herald, and Evening Times. The appointment was said to reflect the changing nature of the media industry, where complementary digital and print output and economic pressures require the competitive strength that comes from teamwork across titles.

Mr Martin said: "I am delighted to take up this new and challenging role. I am fully committed to ensuring that The Herald, Evening Times and the Sunday Herald along with our digital products are strong, vibrant Scottish brands which reflect and appeal to the communities that we serve."

Herald & Times Group managing director Tim Blott said: "The choice of candidate was an extremely difficult decision, with the post attracting a high calibre of applications from all over the UK."

Mr Martin, 44, is a graduate of Glasgow University and was previously editor of the Aberdeen Evening Express and the North West Evening Mail, Cumbria.