Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. The Wire
  2. Job Moves
December 3, 2025updated 06 Jan 2026 2:20pm

Scottish Sun editor Gill Smith to lead US operation

Kris Gilmartin appointed Scottish Sun acting editor in early 2026.

By Charlotte Tobitt

Update 6 January 2026: Scottish Sun associate editor Kris Gilmartin has been named acting editor following the secondment of Gill Smith to The US Sun.

Gilmartin has been at The Sun for nine years including as digital editor and home page editor. He will start the new role in the coming weeks.

He said: “There are challenges ahead but we’ve already made great strides in video while ensuring our iconic print edition remains the vibrant, essential daily read for readers across Scotland. Our news, sport and politics coverage continues to outshine the rest on every platform.

“We have a team full of talent and I’m immensely proud to be taking The Scottish Sun on to the next chapter.”

Sun editor-in-chief Victoria Newton said of Gilmartin: “A proven digital-first leader, he brings over a decade of expertise, and is perfectly placed to lead the Scottish team as they build on the many successes achieved under Gill’s leadership.”

Original story 3 December 2025: Gill Smith has been named the next editor of The US Sun after leading The Scottish Sun for five years.

Smith will move to New York for the role, starting in the New Year.

Her remit will include putting a new emphasis on video in the US newsroom, as The Sun has been doing in the UK.

Smith will succeed Natalie Evans, who was the inaugural editor of The Sun’s US operation from February 2020 and has just left to join Ladbible Group as a managing director.

Sun editor-in-chief Victoria Newton said: “Gill brings a wealth of experience at a time when American politics continues to drive the global news agenda, making her perfectly placed to lead our dynamic team and further our successes in the US.

“She leaves The Scottish Sun in brilliant health, having cemented its reputation with accolades like Newsbrand of the Year,” Newton added, referring to the Scottish Press Awards.

Smith has spent 17 years at The Scottish Sun where, before she became editor, her roles included deputy editor, head of content, assistant editor, head of news and features editor.

She was previously seconded to News Corp sister title New York Post after the 9/11 terror attacks.

Smith said leading The Scottish Sun has been a “huge privilege” but it is “time for a new challenge”.

“The opportunity to lead the US team building a new emphasis on video that brings our trustworthy journalism to life and deepens our connection with audiences in America in the Sun’s trademark style is incredibly exciting.”

The US Sun was the 34th biggest news website in the US in October by visits, according to Similarweb. It was up 15% year on year and 29% month on month to 26 million visits.

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

Websites in our network