Martin (pictured below), 45, has been Editor-in-Chief of the Herald & Times Group in Glasgow and editor of Scotland’s national newspaper, The Herald, since December 2008.
The Herald is one of the oldest newspapers in the English speaking world having been published out of Glasgow since 1783. After nine years editing the Evening Express in Aberdeen Martin was appointed editor of the Herald’s sister paper the Evening Times in 2006, and in 2007 it won the Newspaper Society’s Regional Newspaper of the Year title.
A former deputy editor of the Cambridge Evening News, Martin was also chief sub-editor and production editor of the Reading Evening Post, editor of Thames Valley Free Newspapers and launch editor of the Edinburgh and Lothian’s Post.
In 1993 he took over as editor of the North West Evening Mail, part of Cumbrian Newspapers, which he edited for four years. The title served Barrow-in Furness and the South Lakes. He then moved to Aberdeen.
Martin said: “The society is a powerful voice on behalf of the media’s freedom to report and of the public’s right to know. I am conscious of the honour and responsibility this nomination brings and will work hard to support the industry in these challenging and fast changing times.”
SoE president Nigel Pickover, editor of the Evening Star, Ipswich said: “Donald has experience across a variety of publications which he has edited with great success and style. As a valuable member of the society’s board, he has been a fearless battler for media freedom and standards. The society is ten years old and I am sure Donald will help take it forward to new heights.”
Three new members have joined the board of the society. They are Moira Sleight, managing editor of the Methodist Recorder, Sarah Jane Smith, editor of the Shropshire Star and Fran Unsworth, head of newsgathering at the BBC.
