The chief executive of Johnston Press, Tim Bowdler, is set to become the next vice president of the Newspaper Society.

That means subject to formal approval in May, he will succeed Edwin Boorman as president in 2002, following Edwin’s appointment this summer when he takes over from Alec Davidson.

Tim Bowdler spent the early part of his career in the manufacturing sector after graduating as an engineer from Birmingham University and picking up an MBA from London Business School.

He trained as a production engineer, progressing through a series of managerial appointments in commercial and marketing roles.

Before entering the newspaper industry, he worked for Cape plc as divisional managing director of its building and architectural product companies.

Tim joined Johnston Press in January 1994 as group managing director designate, taking up the role in April that year. He was appointed chief executive of the group in September 1997.

He is already a member of the Newspaper Society’s Council, a director of the Press Standards Board of Finance, and chairman of the Society’s media ownership working party.

He is a non-executive director of Associated British Ports Holdings plc.