He will report to his predecessor, Jerry Harris, who was recently promoted to managing director of News group newspapers and digital products, as part of changes following the appointment of Kim Williams as chief executive.

Scott headed the publisher’s ‘Sunday Times’ and PerthNow operations.

Williams describes him as “one of our most talented young executives.

“Under his leadership, the Sunday Times has been a vigorous and successful rival to its daily competitor in Perth and has pioneered a range of successful editorial and commercial initiatives, particularly in digital media.

“PerthNow is the clear leader in online news and information for Western Australians.”

The appointment is effective from January 30, and a Perth replacement is yet to be named.

Scott is “absolutely thrilled” at the opportunity: “Under Jerry's leadership News Queensland has built some of the most trusted news brands in Australia.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of helping the business chart an exciting future.”

He began his career as a cadet journalist at the ‘Centralian Advocate’ in Alice Springs and later became editor of the ‘Darwin and Palmerston Sun’ before moving to the ‘Northern Territory News’ as chief of staff, then deputy editor.

He was appointed managing editor of the ‘Centralian Advocate’ in 1999 and became general manager of North Queensland Newspapers in 2003, in charge of nine newspapers including the flagship ‘Townsville Bulletin’.

He was appointed managing director of The Sunday Times in January 2010.