Lisburn man named editor of News Letter

Alistair Bushe, who has been appointed as News Letter editor

The 38-year-old established Lisburn resident will take on leadership of the prestigious title on December 1 – a month after respected former editor Rankin Armstrong retired following a 44-year career in Northern Ireland journalism.

Alistair started out as a trainee reporter with the Ulster Star in 1997.

Eight years later, in 2005, he joined the reporting team at the News Letter and in 2007 he was appointed editor of the Portadown Times, which has enjoyed significant total audience growth under his tenure.

His replacement at the Portadown Times will be announced in due course.

The Waringstown native shouldered wider responsibilities in his current role as deputy group editor of five weekly titles within the Johnston Press Northern Ireland publishing unit.

Alistair said: “Rankin is a hard act to follow but I’m looking forward to getting started with the very hard-working team at the News Letter, and to developing a truly multi-platform publishing operation from our redesigned newsroom in Carn.

“It is an exciting time for the News Letter and for our range of weekly titles as we begin to work together more closely than ever before in the newsroom of the future project.”

Warren Butcher, MD of JP’s North West, Northern Ireland & Isle of Man Newspapers, added: “The standard of applications – both internal and external – was extremely high and it’s a credit to Alistair that he was successful.

“He’ll do a great job with this esteemed title.”