The boss of Australia’s leading national news agency is to return to the UK as the new chief executive of the Press Association, it was announced today.

Clive Marshall is currently chief executive of Australian Associated Press Ltd, a position he has held since 2001.

PA Group announced today that he has been chosen as the successor to Paul Potts, who retires as Press Association chief executive on 21 January next year.

It marks a return to PA for Clive who previously worked for the agency as the group’s sales director and in various other roles before moving Down Under.

PA Group chairman Tim Bowdler said: “I am delighted that Clive will become the group’s next CEO. He is ideally qualified to lead PA, its strong management team and committed staff through the next stages of the group’s development.

“I am confident that the experience he brings from his time at AAP and with PA prior to that will prove invaluable to the Group. In welcoming Clive I would also like to thank Paul Potts for the huge contribution he has made over many years to the success of PA Group.”

Added Clive: “I am absolutely delighted to be returning to the Press Association as chief executive officer. Although the PA Group has expanded its activities considerably over the last few years the Press Association news agency remains at the heart of the business.

“My focus will be to ensure that we continue to provide the UK media with the highest quality, cost effective, news and information resource whilst at the same time maximising the commercial opportunities of our various businesses to ensure the ongoing financial strength of the group.”