Former award winning Newcastle Journal business editor Peter Jackson and ex-Trinity Mirror regionals marketing and development boss Russell Borthwick are joining forces with businessman John Anderson to strengthen the PR business Press Ahead JBA.

John will become non executive chairman of the expanded business which is based in North East England but has a UK-wide focus.

Recent publishing clients include The Northern Echo, Johnston Press, CN Group, Archant, Cambridge Newspapers, Grimsby & Scunthorpe Newspapers, Oldham Evening Chronicle, Sunderland Echo and Times Education Supplement.

Over the last 12 months alone Russell and Peter have advised on public relations and communications issues ranging from the Mercantile Building Society’s merger with the Leeds to award-winning campaigns like One NorthEast’s “Passionate People, Passionate Places” and the Sunderland Echo’s Wear1 initiative.

The company’s expertise includes strategic and marketing planning, market research. marketing and sales promotion, management training, specialist staff recruitment, product re-positioning and editorial and promotional campaigns.

Managing director Russell Borthwick said: “Our success has been built on a real understanding of newspaper publishing and the key strategic and operational issues facing media owners today and every day.”