According to publishers News UK, The Times has a strong history as the paper of record and the Scottish edition played a vital role during the referendum, explaining and analysing the issues around the decision to stay in or leave the union. Reporting from the Edinburgh bureau helped secure 70,000 extra sales for The Times during referendum week and an extra 10,000 copies of the Scottish edition were sold between the Wednesday and Saturday, taking nearly a third of the quality newspaper market north of the border. The Times was one of the only national papers to print a 7.30am results edition on the Friday morning.
Les brings strong experience of the Scottish market and its readers having been Scottish Editor of The Sunday Times between 2003 and 2006 before editing Scotland on Sunday between 2006 and 2009. He returns to Scotland after six years as Sports Editor at The Daily Mail in London.
Les Snowdon said: "The Times in Scotland has a rich heritage of offering world-class journalism to help its readers make sense of the news at home and from around the world, particularly leading up to and after the referendum. I am thrilled to be joining the paper and delighted to be returning to Scotland."
John Witherow, Editor of The Times, said: "Les is a highly experienced, skilled and versatile editor who will ensure that The Times in Scotland delivers the news, comment and analysis that our Scottish readers expect. I know he will lead our team to more success, during what is a pivotal time for Scottish and British politics.”
