View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Scottish Sunday Express editor leaves as group cuts bite

By Andrew Pugh

Scottish Sunday Express editor Derek Lambie is leaving the paper after ten years.

Express owners Northern & Shell announced that around 70 jobs are to go across its national titles as part of a £5m cost-cutting programme.

In Scotland, up to 12 journalism have been earmarked to go – the equivalent of around 30 per cent of editorial staff.

Lambie, who leaves on 26 May, said: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to have been at the helm of the Sunday Express in Scotland for more than a decade.

‘But, as they say, all good things come to an end and the time has come to move on.

‘Like other industries – from major businesses being forced to lay off staff on a daily basis, to well-known football clubs left teetering on the brink – newspapers have not been unaffected by the current economic climate.

‘Indeed, many say the media industry is facing a hitherto unseen challenge and a somewhat uncertain future.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

‘That said, Scotland needs strong Sunday newspapers and I am confident the Sunday Express will continue to play a major role north of the border, and I wish the team well. “

Lambie said he has no plans to continue in newspapers and will instead pursue other interests.

NUJ Scotland is in ongoing talks with management over the cuts as it tries to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Last month some of the country’s leading politicians, including First Minister Alex Salmond, backed the NUJ’s campaign to save Express jobs.

In 2008 Express Newspapers cut around 80 staff and casual journalists with a similar number going in 2009. Sub-editors and production journalists were then amongst the hardest hit.

The latest round of cost-cutting could see as many as 100 staff leave the business.

Press Gazette understands that under the latest proposals London is in line to lose 27 staff positions and the equivalent of 18 long-term casual positions; Glasgow will lose 12 staff and six casuals; and Broughton will lose two staff and 10 casuals.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network