JPIMedia has postponed plans to introduce the company’s ‘Digital Acceleration’ programme in Scotland because of the COVID-19 outbreak . 

The company has also put on hold its search for a replacement for its editorial director in Scotland Frank O’Donnell, who is due to leave the business in May to become editor-in-chief at Aberdeen’s Press & Journal.

The regional publisher’s larger Scottish titles will now be placed under an interim structure headed by Joy Yates, JPIMedia’s current editorial director in the North-East of England and also a director of the Society of Editors. Yates has been appointed interim editorial director for Scotland to lead the new structure. 

O’Donnell will focus on editing The Scotsman, Edinburgh Evening News and Scotland on Sunday.

As reported on HoldTheFrontPage, JPIMedia editor-in-chief Jeremy Clifford informed staff: “Due to the huge challenges everyone is facing because of the coronavirus pandemic, the company is reviewing all of its operations to ensure we can respond quickly to the changing circumstances.

“With that in mind, we have decided it would not be right to press ahead with a major restructure of our newsrooms and way of operating at a time when we are now asking people to work remotely and with possible limitations on staff availability due to illness.

Clifford added: “Keep in mind this is a temporary solution to what are unprecedented challenges faced by us all and we will return to our Digital Acceleration programme as soon as we are able to do so.

“I am sure you will join me in supporting Joy and the leadership team and working with them over the coming months.”