Scottish Opera has announced that Colin McClatchie, a former managing editor of News International Newspapers north of the border, is to be its new chairman.

Mr McClatchie has been on the board of the opera company since 2003 and vice chair since 2004. He succeeds William Taylor, QC, who completed his three-year term in December.

Mr McClatchie held senior management positions with News International Newspapers, the Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail, and Thomson Regional Newspapers.

He said: "I'm delighted and honoured to have been asked to be chairman of this great arts company.

"Over its 45-year history, Scottish Opera has played a significant role in Scotland's artistic heritage.

"Our paramount objectives now are for Scottish Opera to produce more opera and to maintain our well-earned reputation for quality, imagination and innovation."

Scottish Opera's new strand of 15-minute operas begin on 29 February.