The Western Morning News’ London editor Matt Chorley is the new chairman of the Newspaper Conference.

He succeeds Mark Hookham, Yorkshire Evening Post political editor, who has held the post for the past year.

The Conference holds quarterly lunches which give London-based political journalists from the regional press access to senior politicians in Westminster.

Said Matt, left: “The Newspaper Conference is an invaluable means for regional press journalists, and the industry as a whole, to exclusively access the most senior politicians in Westminster.

“In uncertain times, it is even more important for politicians to continue to have dialogue with the people whose lives are affected by their decisions and the Conference is the perfect vehicle for this.

“I am looking forward to my year as chairman and would like to thank Mark Hookham for his outstanding efforts over the past year.”

Matt, 26, started his journalistic career training as a reporter on Somerset weekly the Taunton Times.

He later joined the Press Association as a sub-editor before becoming a political and gallery reporter based in the House of Commons.

In October 2006, Matt was appointed London editor of Plymouth-based daily the Western Morning News.

Matt’s appointment as chairman was agreed at the Conference’s AGM this week.

Mark Hookham was appointed vice-chairman and Sam Lister from the Belfast Telegraph was appointed deputy chair.