Thelma Henderson has taken over as managing director of Scottish Provincial Press, the Inverness-based publishing group which owns weekly newspaper titles across the Highlands and Moray.

She replaces Roy Fox, who has retired after 26 years as MD.

“I am extremely pleased to have been appointed and given the opportunity to build on the successes of the group,” said Henderson, who had served as assistant managing director for three years.

“Across the UK the newspaper industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to a combination of the recession and the impact of the internet – this makes it an exciting time to be at the helm.

“The strength of our newspapers has always been their links with the local communities they serve.

“Substantial recent investment in content management and advertising systems will give us great opportunities to continue to develop a multimedia business that can meet the changing needs of our readers and advertisers.”

SPP publishes a dozen weekly paid-for newspapers and three free newspapers along with a range of specialist publications. The group employs almost 300 staff. Henderson became assistant managing director in 2006, having been group marketing manager prior to that.