Photo supplied – Picture Editors’ Guild
One of the founding fathers of the UK Picture Editors’ Guild, and its first chairman, Stewart Boyd, has died in Edinburgh after a long illness. He was 73.
For 20 years he was picture editor of The Scotsman. He joined the Edinburgh based paper in April 1958, and worked his way up from tube boy. He became a sub-editor and night editor until his appointment as Picture Editor in 1972. He remained in that post until 1992.
Over the years he was an active member of the National Union of Journalists at chapel level and with the Edinburgh and District branch of the NUJ first as secretary and then as chairman. He was also a member of the NUJ’s national Appeals Tribunal for several years.
After becoming picture editor he realised there was a need for a body to give a voice to others in similar positions. Together with Paddy Hicks of PA and Peter Woodman of the Newcastle Chronicle, he helped found the UK Picture Editors’ Guild and became its first chairman – holding office from 1982 to 1992.
Upon leaving The Scotsman, Stewart undertook a number of jobs in market research and journalism before setting up Contax – a consultancy in media relations, human resources and market research.
But the lure of the open sea was always close to his heart. As a boy he was taught to sail off St Andrews, where he spent school holidays with his grandmother.
Stewart was past Commodore of the Forth Corinthian Yacht Club and a member of the Royal Forth Yacht Club and Dunbar Sailing Club. Between 1975 and 1978 Stewart took various Royal Yachting Association and Department of Trade and Industry courses at Leith Nautical College. He followed this up in 1978 by becoming vice chairman of Leith Nautical College – remaining in office until its closure in 1987.
The Forth was mainly his yachting playground, but he also sailed widely in UK waters, and ventured across the Atlantic and the Pacific when he joined a boat taking part in the RAFYC Round the World Rally .He was elected to the council of the Royal Yachting Association Scotland to represent the Forth area, and became secretary of the RYAS in 1993. He served for 17 years with his unique enthusiasm and skill. He decided to step down after reaching 70 in 2010. Stewart also joined the Council of RYA and for a number of years was a regular participant in their discussions. In 2005 he received from Princess Anne the award for Distinguished Services to Yachting in the UK.
In the winter months when sailing was not possible Stewart turned his attention to rugby – as a player and referee then as an avid spectator. He was also a keen curler, being a long time member of Merchiston Curling Club. He had the distinction of being the club’s president in its bi-centennial year in 2009/10.
His wife Elizabeth died in 2008. Stewart is survived by his two brothers David and Douglas, nephews and nieces and great nephews.
A service in celebration of his life will be held on Friday 11 April at Noon at Mortonhall Crematorium, Main Chapel.