Latest news with #HowardSimpson
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Veteran broadcast journalist appointed head of news at BBC Scotland
A veteran broadcast journalist has been appointed head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland. Howard Simpson, who has almost two decades of experience, will take over from Gary Smith who is leaving BBC Scotland this summer. Mr Simpson is currently head of news content with the broadcaster after being promoted in 2023 for multiplatform coverage, and he joined BBC News Scotland in 2017 as the department's news editor. He later became newsgathering editor where he took over responsibility for reporters, correspondents, and producers across Scotland, covering the pandemic, a general and Holyrood election campaign, as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Prior to the BBC, he was editor of STV News and sport and responsible for News at Six, Scotland Tonight and live football, as well as coverage of the independence referendum, including the overnight results show which was STV's first pan-ITV network production. Mr Simpson said: 'It's a great honour to be appointed as head of news and current affairs and to lead all the fantastic teams across the nation. 'I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues in news and the executive team as we evolve the production and delivery of our news services in the ever-changing digital age.' Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said Mr Simpson's track record of leadership in both commercial and public service broadcasting made him the ideal choice. She said: 'Over many years Howard has proved to be an outstanding leader of teams who've covered countless major stories in Scotland, delivered the highest quality programming, and introduced new services for audiences. 'I'm excited to be working with him to continue delivering the best journalism and finding new and innovative ways to serve all our audiences. 'His creativity, brilliant news judgment, and enthusiastic and skilled leadership will be vital as we continue to meet our audiences' expectations to provide impartial, informative, and insightful journalism.'
Glasgow Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Veteran broadcast journalist appointed head of news at BBC Scotland
Howard Simpson, who has almost two decades of experience, will take over from Gary Smith who is leaving BBC Scotland this summer. Mr Simpson is currently head of news content with the broadcaster after being promoted in 2023 for multiplatform coverage, and he joined BBC News Scotland in 2017 as the department's news editor. He later became newsgathering editor where he took over responsibility for reporters, correspondents, and producers across Scotland, covering the pandemic, a general and Holyrood election campaign, as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Prior to the BBC, he was editor of STV News and sport and responsible for News at Six, Scotland Tonight and live football, as well as coverage of the independence referendum, including the overnight results show which was STV's first pan-ITV network production. Mr Simpson said: 'It's a great honour to be appointed as head of news and current affairs and to lead all the fantastic teams across the nation. 'I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues in news and the executive team as we evolve the production and delivery of our news services in the ever-changing digital age.' Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said Mr Simpson's track record of leadership in both commercial and public service broadcasting made him the ideal choice. She said: 'Over many years Howard has proved to be an outstanding leader of teams who've covered countless major stories in Scotland, delivered the highest quality programming, and introduced new services for audiences. 'I'm excited to be working with him to continue delivering the best journalism and finding new and innovative ways to serve all our audiences. 'His creativity, brilliant news judgment, and enthusiastic and skilled leadership will be vital as we continue to meet our audiences' expectations to provide impartial, informative, and insightful journalism.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Veteran broadcast journalist appointed head of news at BBC Scotland
A veteran broadcast journalist has been appointed head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland. Howard Simpson, who has almost two decades of experience, will take over from Gary Smith who is leaving BBC Scotland this summer. Mr Simpson is currently head of news content with the broadcaster after being promoted in 2023 for multiplatform coverage, and he joined BBC News Scotland in 2017 as the department's news editor. He later became newsgathering editor where he took over responsibility for reporters, correspondents, and producers across Scotland, covering the pandemic, a general and Holyrood election campaign, as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Prior to the BBC, he was editor of STV News and sport and responsible for News at Six, Scotland Tonight and live football, as well as coverage of the independence referendum, including the overnight results show which was STV's first pan-ITV network production. Mr Simpson said: 'It's a great honour to be appointed as head of news and current affairs and to lead all the fantastic teams across the nation. 'I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues in news and the executive team as we evolve the production and delivery of our news services in the ever-changing digital age.' Hayley Valentine, director of BBC Scotland, said Mr Simpson's track record of leadership in both commercial and public service broadcasting made him the ideal choice. She said: 'Over many years Howard has proved to be an outstanding leader of teams who've covered countless major stories in Scotland, delivered the highest quality programming, and introduced new services for audiences. 'I'm excited to be working with him to continue delivering the best journalism and finding new and innovative ways to serve all our audiences. 'His creativity, brilliant news judgment, and enthusiastic and skilled leadership will be vital as we continue to meet our audiences' expectations to provide impartial, informative, and insightful journalism.'
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
BBC Scotland appoints Howard Simpson as head of news
BBC Scotland has appointed Howard Simpson as its new head of news and current will take over from Gary Smith, 64, who announced in March that he was leaving the BBC after a career of nearly 40 is currently head of news content in the newsroom at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters in joined the corporation in 2017 after heading up the news operation at STV. BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine said his experience of commercial and public service broadcasting made him an ideal choice for the job. Simpson said: 'It's a great honour to be appointed as head of news and current affairs and to lead all the fantastic teams across the nation. "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues in news and the executive team as we evolve the production and delivery of our news services in the ever-changing digital age." Simpson previously ran the BBC news desk in Glasgow, before becoming newsgathering editor with responsibility for reporters, correspondents, and producers across Scotland. In this period, he led teams through the Covid pandemic, Westminster and Holyrood elections as well as the death of Queen Elizabeth II. During his time at STV he was editor of news and sport, responsible for News at Six, Scotland Tonight and the channel's live football programmes. Hayley Valentine said: "Over many years Howard has proved to be an outstanding leader of teams who've covered countless major stories in Scotland, delivered the highest quality programming, and introduced new services for audiences."I'm excited to be working with him to continue delivering the best journalism and finding new and innovative ways to serve all our audiences."
The National
15-05-2025
- Business
- The National
BBC Scotland announces new head of news
Howard Simpson will succeed Gary Thompson, who is leaving later in the summer after nearly a decade in the role. Simpson (below) is currently head of news content at BBC Scotland and has been with the broadcaster since 2017, when he joined BBC News Scotland as the department's news editor. (Image: BBC Scotland) During this time, he was responsible for running the news desk at Pacific Quay, before becoming newsgathering editor where he managed reporters, correspondents and producers across Scotland. He has been the head of news content since 2023. READ MORE: Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested after Gaza protest at US Capitol Before joining the BBC, Simpson was editor of STV News and Sport and was responsible for News at Six, Scotland Tonight and the channel's live football programmes. Simpson has nearly two decades' of experience, during which time he has led coverage of the 2014 independence referendum, the Covid-19 pandemic, a General Election and Holyrood campaign and the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Hayley Valentine, BBC Scotland director, said: "Over many years Howard has proved to be an outstanding leader of teams who've covered countless major stories in Scotland, delivered the highest quality programming, and introduced new services for audiences. "I'm excited to be working with him to continue delivering the best journalism and finding new and innovative ways to serve all our audiences. "His creativity, brilliant news judgement, and enthusiastic and skilled leadership, will be vital as we continue to meet our audiences' expectations to provide impartial, informative, and insightful journalism." Simpson said: "It's a great honour to be appointed as head of news and current affairs and to lead all the fantastic teams across the nation. "I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues in news and the executive team as we evolve the production and delivery of our news services in the ever-changing digital age."
