Jon Walker, political editor of the Birmingham Post and Evening Mail, has been elected chairman of the Newspaper Conference for 2005.

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

Succeeding Kirsty Buchanan, political editor of the Western Mail, Jon has worked in Westminster for the Birmingham Post and Evening Mail for four years, and before that spent two years as the Post's education correspondent.

He has also worked for the Sunday Mercury and the Solihull News, and began his journalistic career as a trainee on the Post and Evening Mail training scheme.

He said: "I think the Newspaper Conference plays an invaluable role, helping regional newspapers build up close links with senior ministers and members of the cabinet, so that readers can understand what the nation's top politicians are doing for them."

There are currently 24 members of the Newspaper Conference, which acts as a link between its members, politicians, Government departments and the royal households.

Last year the Newspaper Conference hosted quarterly lunches with Peter Hain, Nick Raysnford and Lord Haskins as well as the Annual Lunch with Michael Howard.