Tony Johnston has been appointed to the newly-created post of head of editorial training at the Press Association.

Currently head of editorial staff development at Trinity Mirror, he will join the national news agency on August 1.

In his new role one of Tony’s key tasks will be to develop training programmes to enable print journalists to operate in different media, including broadcast and online.

He will also promote and develop the services offered by The Editorial Centre, which PA acquired a 50 per cent stake in last year, working closely with managing director Peter Sands.

Tony, (42), said: “I am delighted to be joining PA at such an exciting time in its development.

“The work that has been done in developing multimedia services is extremely impressive and there is a great opportunity to offer training services to the industry based around these facilities.”

Tony (pictured) has run Trinity Mirror’s training centre in Newcastle since 1996, and was also previously assistant editor at the Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough and deputy editor at the Evening Post in Reading.

PA managing director Steven Brown said: “Training is a important part of The Press Association’s portfolio and in recent years we have played a key role in developing editorial talent for the industry.

“With his extensive experience, Tony will be central to the development of training services for customers and staff.”

Tony will be based at PA’s operations centre in Howden, East Yorkshire, where significant investment has been made in broadcast and training facilities.