The editor of the Dundee-based daily, The Courier, is to step-down next month bringing to an end his 42-year career working for the same publishing group.
Bill Hutcheon, who has been editor of the DC Thomson newspaper for eight and a half years, is set to take early retirement.
Hutcheon will leave his role at the end of March; his employer has started its search for his successor.
DC Thomson chairman Andrew Thomson announced Hutcheon’s departure to staff in a memo earlier this week.
It said: ‘After eight and a half years as editor of The Courier and with over 42 years outstanding service to DC Thomson, Bill Hutcheon has decided to take early retirement at the end of March.
‘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.
‘Bill will remain in his post as editor until 31st March 2011 when he will retire.
‘We will keep you informed of our plans in terms of finding a successor for him in due course.
‘Please join me in thanking Bill for his dedicated service and in wishing him a long and very happy retirement.”
According to the most recent figures made available by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, Dundee Courier & Advertiser series had an average daily sale of 65,012 during the first half of last year – a drop of 4.4 per cent year on year.
Hutcheon is the second long-serving DC Thomson editor to step down in recent weeks.
Press and Journal editor Derek Tucker retired after more than 18 years leading one of Britain’s oldest daily papers last month.
Tucker, who was also one of the longest serving Scottish daily editors, left the Aberdeen-based paper on 14 January.
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