Brendan Carlin, political editor of the Yorkshire Post, has been elected as the chairman of the Newspaper Conference for 2003.

He will preside over the Conference which represents London editors and political correspondents of regional newspapers which are members of the Newspaper Society.

A lobby journalist for the past seven years, Brendan has previously worked for the Press Association and the Central Press Lobby service and has almost 14 years’ experience working for regional daily papers across the country.

He was chosen during the Conference annual general meeting, along with Kirsty Buchanan, Northcliffe Newspapers’ parliamentary correspondent and soon to be political editor of the Western Mail, who takes up the position of deputy chairwoman.

Last year’s chairman, Matthew George, who is political correspondent of the Western Daily Press, has been appointed vice-chairman.

There are currently 21 members of the Newspaper Conference, which acts as a link between its members, politicians, Government departments and the royal households.

It meets four times a year for lunches at the House of Commons or the Newspaper Society, at which invited guests answer questions on regional issues.