Sun Showbiz editor Gordon Smart is being promoted to editor of the Scottish Sun, taking over from Andrew Harries, to lead the paper's coverage in the run-up to the vote on Scottish Independence in September 2014.
Harries has been editor of The Sun in Scotland for three years and is moving over to become editor of the Scottish Daily Mail, taking over Chris Williams who is retiring after 10 years in the job.
Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre said: “I want to pay tribute to Chris who has been a hugely successful and award-winning editor. He was always going to be a hard act to follow.”
“Andy has previously spent ten years with the Scottish Daily Mail and I am delighted that he is returning to his natural home at such an important and exciting time for Scotland.”
Williams said: “It has been a privilege to work for Paul Dacre and for a news organisation which still invests in great journalism and fights for press freedom.”
Smart, who is currently assistant editor of the paper, has been editor of The Sun's Bizarre pages since 2007. He has been with The Sun since 2003 and began his career in journalism on The Courier and Evening Telegraph in Dundee.
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He said: "I am absolutely thrilled about returning to my native Scotland at such a critical and exciting time for the country. To be back on home turf leading the amazing staff at The Scottish Sun for the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and independence referendum is the opportunity of a lifetime."
Sun on Sunday's showbiz editor Dan Wootton is being promoted to the new role head of showbiz, working across seven days. A new editor of Bizarre is to be appointed and they will report in to Wooton.
Sun editor David Dinsmore said: "Gordon is a great talent and ideally placed to take the helm at the best-selling newspaper in Scotland. We are investing in our journalism and enhancing our unrivalled offering to readers with highlights of the Scottish Premier League as the latest addition. A big year lies ahead and I am delighted that Gordon has agreed to hang up his party shoes and accept this exciting challenge.
"Andy Harries has done a great job and we are grateful for his hard work and commitment over the last three years and wish him well in his new role."
Andy Harries said: “I've had three amazing years at the Scottish Sun and I'll be sad to leave so many good people, both in Scotland and London. I am delighted that Gordon has been appointed and wish him the best of luck – I know he'll do a fantastic job.”
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