Ellis Watson joins DC Thomson to oversee papers

Former managing director of Trinity Mirror's national newspapers Ellis Watson has been appointed md for newspapers at Scottish publisher DC Thomson, allmediascotland reports today.

Watson will oversee DC Thomson’s newspaper business, including the Press and Journal, the Evening Express, the Courier, the Evening Telegraph, the Sunday Post and the Weekly News.

Says DC Thomson: "He will be responsible for developing newspaper operations to create an efficient business model to build on the strength of the newspaper brands and products.

"Ellis will continue the work started by Alan Scott and David Thomson who have been joint managing Directors of the newspaper business. David Thomson is now chief operating officer for DC Thomson and group companies."

On Friday, it was announced Alan Scott was stepping down as managing director of DC Thomson's Aberdeen Journal's division, after 27 years with the company.

Watson started his career on Fleet Street, working as the marketing director at News International for the News of the World and the Sun.

He was chief executive of Simon Cowell's company, Syco, but stepped down in December last year after less than a year in the job.