Sue Douglas (born 1957) is a British media executive and former newspaper editor.
Susan Douglas began her career in 1978, after graduating with a first class Honours degree in Physiology and Biochemistry, with management consultants Andersen Consulting, then became a medical journalist with Haymarket Publishing. In South Africa (1979–81) she worked for the South African Sunday Express and The Rand Daily Mail.
Returning to Britain in 1981, she began writing for the Daily Mail and News of the World, and in 1982 she joined the Mail on Sunday.
Initially a medical correspondent, she was promoted to associate editor of the newspaper, then assistant editor of the Daily Mail and in 1991 became deputy editor of The Sunday Times. Douglas launched the newspaper's Style & Culture sections, relaunched The Sunday Times magazine, ran the Insight investigative team and introduced many writers and columnists including Julie Burchill, Jeremy Clarkson, Taki, Melvyn Bragg and her husband, historian Niall Ferguson.
In 1995, she was appointed editor of the Sunday Express, then owned by Lord David Stevens. Just under two years later, Clive Hollick bought the Express group and rolled the Sunday into the Daily title, rendering all Sunday Express journalists redundant.
Douglas was chosen by former superior Andrew Neil to assist in relaunching The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News. At the same time, she diversified into magazine publishing, working on the US launch of men's magazine Gear, then the UK websites Vogue.com, Traveller.co.uk and after she helped launch the new title, Glamour, in the UK, she ran the contract publishing division of Conde Nast, with titles such as tate, Trader, Mandarin Oriental, Harrods and the Post office magazine. Glamour was one of the most successful magazine launches ever, and Douglas, as President of New Business with Condé Nast became a director.
After a severe horse-riding accident, she became a freelance executive and in 2008, joined literary agency PFD as a director and engineered the management buyout by Andrew Neil. The acquisition ultimately led to Douglas being forced to leave. Consultancy deals with Harper Collins, Future publishing and television company, Luxe.tv and Lingospot followed.[1]
She is separated from historian Niall Ferguson[2] with whom she has three children.
| Media offices | ||
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| Preceded by Ivan Fallon |
Deputy Editor of the Sunday Times 1995 |
Succeeded by Martin Ivens |
| Preceded by Brian Hitchen |
Editor of the Sunday Express 1995–1996 |
Succeeded by Richard Addis |
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