Top Johnston Press bosses in talks over their future

Three senior executives at Johnston Press, the owner of The Scotsman, are in consultation over their future with the publishing company.

The three include Michael Johnston, divisional managing director for Scotland and North-East, who is the last member of the Johnston family with the newspaper and media group.

David Caskie, divisional finance director for Scotland and North-East and Richard Bell, managing director of Johnston Falkirk, are the other executives in talks with the senior management of the London-listed company.

The group is one of the three largest local newspaper publishers in the UK.

Founded in Falkirk in 1767, Johnston Press also owns The Scotsman’s sister papers, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News, as well as more than 270 local newspapers.

Ashley Highfield has recently taken over as chief executive at the company, joining from Microsoft, where he was vice-president responsible for its UK consumer and online business, including the MSN website.

In a statement issued last night, Highfield said: “We can confirm that we are in consultation with senior executives at The Scotsman Publications and Johnston Falkirk and we are unable to make any further comment at the present time.”