Globetrotting editor Alan Geere is 'coming home' to edit the newspaper where he started his career.

Alan, left, has been appointed to the new role of regional editor-in-chief for Northcliffe Media South East, which includes the editorship of his old paper the Essex Chronicle, in Chelmsford.

"I had a fantastic start in journalism at the Chronicle and am thrilled to go back to help take the company to a new level," said 52-year-old Alan, who takes up the role in the new year.

As well as editing the Chronicle, Alan will also have oversight of a series of other Northcliffe titles in the region including the Croydon Advertiser, Surrey Mirror, Kent and Sussex Courier, East Kent Gazette, Crawley News and their corresponding websites.

Since leaving Essex 30 years ago, Alan has built up an international career as a journalist, academic and consultant.

In the UK, after spells as the editor of the Diss Express and night editor of the Eastern Daily Press, he joined Eddy Shah's Today and went on to be production editor.

He was also executive editor of both The Journal, Newcastle and the Western Mail and ran a national syndication agency for Thomson Newspapers before its takeover by Trinity.

His international experience includes stints on the South China Morning Post, in Hong Kong, and the Trinidad Express, one of the largest titles in the Caribbean.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to use the skills and experience I have gained during my career at such an exciting time for media companies," he said.

"I am passionate about journalism and what it can do for communities and look forward to harnessing the latest technologies to create even more engaging material."

Alan has also been involved in training and educating journalists for more than 20 years. He was director of the Journalism Training Centre and is currently head of journalism at the University of Worcester.

He was born in Billericay and joined the Essex Chronicle Group as a trainee straight from King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford.

Regional managing director, Richard Karn said: "Alan's commitment to local journalism, his enthusiasm for innovation and the valuable experience that he has in developing talented journalists will prove invaluable to us.

"We very much look forward to welcoming him to our team."

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