It’s been a year of forward momentum for news at STV, with STV News at Six now the best watched news bulletin in Scotland; the launch of a peak-time edition of popular current affairs programme, Scotland Tonight; and an enhanced digital offering with a new website and apps.
Supporting this progress, two promotions which will further strengthen the team are confirmed.
Linda Grimes Douglas, previously Output Editor, has been promoted to the new role of Deputy Head of News. Linda joined STV as a journalist over 20 years ago and holds an extensive range of editorial and production experience. She has been instrumental in implementing recent changes to the model of news delivery across STV News which have driven increased ratings over the past year. In this enhanced leadership role, Linda will retain oversight of output and broadcast operations whilst supporting Head of News, Steven Ladurantaye on a day to day basis, and leading on key initiatives across the newsroom.
Laura Piper has been appointed to the newly created position of Climate Correspondent. As a weather presenter and broadcast journalist for the channel, Laura was also one of the founding members of the STV News digital team when she joined the company over eight years ago. In her early career with STV News, Laura undertook a Masters in Journalism at Harvard University. With a keen interest in the environment, Laura committed to wearing an eco-friendly outfit on 100 of her 2019 weather reports. Sourcing clothes from The Big Pick and a range of charity shops, she highlighted how easy it is to go second-hand in a bid to raise awareness and do her bit to prevent the 300,000 tonnes of clothing that ends up in landfill every year.
Linda Grimes Douglas said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of Deputy Head of News where I’ll be focused on delivering first class programmes and digital output that reflects the diversity of the whole of Scotland. Our new ways of working have enabled our talented journalists to reach our audience across multiple platforms, building trust in our service as we continue to be at the forefront of news in Scotland.”
Laura Piper said: “I am thrilled to take on this editorial remit which is closely related to much of my recent work with the STV Weather team and I look forward to covering what is, without doubt, the biggest challenge facing our world.”
Steven Ladurantaye, Head of News at STV, said: “Linda’s skills, expertise and counsel have been invaluable to me since I joined STV in 2018. I’m delighted to appoint her as Deputy Head of News as we start the New Year in a strong position as Scotland’s news channel of choice.”
On Laura’s new role, he commented: “Laura has been tirelessly reporting on the environment for the past year but as 2020 begins, she’ll focus exclusively on the climate – a subject that is never off our news agenda. And with the world’s biggest climate conference due to take place in Glasgow in 2020, the eyes of the world will be on Scotland and Laura will be there covering all the news for all of our platforms. Her passion for environmental stories and journalistic skills made her the obvious candidate for this newly created position, on which I know she’ll deliver.”
For more information, please contact Kirstin Stevenson on 0141 300 3886 or email Kirstin.stevenson@stv.tv.
Supporting this progress, two promotions which will further strengthen the team are confirmed.
Linda Grimes Douglas, previously Output Editor, has been promoted to the new role of Deputy Head of News. Linda joined STV as a journalist over 20 years ago and holds an extensive range of editorial and production experience. She has been instrumental in implementing recent changes to the model of news delivery across STV News which have driven increased ratings over the past year. In this enhanced leadership role, Linda will retain oversight of output and broadcast operations whilst supporting Head of News, Steven Ladurantaye on a day to day basis, and leading on key initiatives across the newsroom.
Laura Piper has been appointed to the newly created position of Climate Correspondent. As a weather presenter and broadcast journalist for the channel, Laura was also one of the founding members of the STV News digital team when she joined the company over eight years ago. In her early career with STV News, Laura undertook a Masters in Journalism at Harvard University. With a keen interest in the environment, Laura committed to wearing an eco-friendly outfit on 100 of her 2019 weather reports. Sourcing clothes from The Big Pick and a range of charity shops, she highlighted how easy it is to go second-hand in a bid to raise awareness and do her bit to prevent the 300,000 tonnes of clothing that ends up in landfill every year.
Linda Grimes Douglas said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of Deputy Head of News where I’ll be focused on delivering first class programmes and digital output that reflects the diversity of the whole of Scotland. Our new ways of working have enabled our talented journalists to reach our audience across multiple platforms, building trust in our service as we continue to be at the forefront of news in Scotland.”
Laura Piper said: “I am thrilled to take on this editorial remit which is closely related to much of my recent work with the STV Weather team and I look forward to covering what is, without doubt, the biggest challenge facing our world.”
Steven Ladurantaye, Head of News at STV, said: “Linda’s skills, expertise and counsel have been invaluable to me since I joined STV in 2018. I’m delighted to appoint her as Deputy Head of News as we start the New Year in a strong position as Scotland’s news channel of choice.”
On Laura’s new role, he commented: “Laura has been tirelessly reporting on the environment for the past year but as 2020 begins, she’ll focus exclusively on the climate – a subject that is never off our news agenda. And with the world’s biggest climate conference due to take place in Glasgow in 2020, the eyes of the world will be on Scotland and Laura will be there covering all the news for all of our platforms. Her passion for environmental stories and journalistic skills made her the obvious candidate for this newly created position, on which I know she’ll deliver.”
For more information, please contact Kirstin Stevenson on 0141 300 3886 or email Kirstin.stevenson@stv.tv.