Pic: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

The executive chairman of one of the UK’s leading news agencies has been appointed CBE in the New Year Honours list.

Paul Potts, left, joined the Press Association in May 1995 and has spearheaded its transformation into a multimedia news operation.

This year PA celebrated its 140th birthday while Mr Potts also passed a personal milestone during 2008 – four decades of journalism service.

He started his career as a trainee with his local paper in Sheffield, The Star, and later become a political correspondent for the Yorkshire Post.

Mr Potts also worked in various roles for the News of the World, Daily Telegraph, Mail on Sunday and Daily Express where he eventually became deputy editor.

During his career with PA he has been editor-in-chief, group chief executive of the PA Group and executive chairman – a role he took up in May.

The 58-year-old said he was “honoured” to receive the award for services to journalism and paid tribute to the Press Association’s staff.

“We constantly strive to produce high quality and trusted journalism,” he said.

“I would like to think this award is recognition of that editorial mission and the central role that the Press Association plays in the media industry.”

Other media figures to receive a New Year Honour are Observer reporter William Keegan, for services to financial journalism, cricket commentator and journalist Christopher Martin-Jenkins, for services to sport, and former Daily Mail and General Trust chief executive Charles Sinclair, for services to the newspaper industry.

Earlier this month Robin Burgess, chief executive of Cumbria-based newspaper publisher the CN Group, picked up his OBE for services to the newspaper industry and community at Buckingham Palace.

Comments

Ray Bradbury (31/12/2008 11:35:33)
Doesn’t everyone that works for PA get honours…?????????..whats new.