One of the highest-profile editors in the regional press is to leave his role saying he wants to help the journalists of tomorrow in Africa.
Alan Geere, left, regional editorial director for Northcliffe South East and editor of the Essex Chronicle, is joining Victoria University in the Ugandan capital of Kampala to launch a new journalism degree.
Under Alan’s leadership, the Chronicle won the weekly newspaper of the year title two years in a row at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards.
Announcing his departure this morning, Northcliffe said he would be replaced as Chronicle editor but not as editorial director.
Said Alan: “I’ve been lucky to work in quite a bit of the developing world – Afghanistan, Caribbean, eastern Europe…Margate! – and see this as a great opportunity to strengthen my international experience.
“These are exciting times for journalism everywhere and I’m delighted to be able to use my expertise in an area where a strong media is a vital component in the democratic process.”
“I’ve enjoyed every minute here working with some hugely talented people on some wonderful titles.
“Our brand of campaigning community journalism is alive and well and I look forward to seeing the papers go from strength to strength.”
Alan has previously worked at City and Westminster Universities in London and helped start another undergraduate programme at Worcester University.
In addition to his new role he will also be studying for a PhD with Leicester University, researching the theory and practice of Investigative Journalism.
In his three years with Northcliffe Alan oversaw the introduction of the central subbing unit that produces the region’s 35 weekly titles and promoted a clutch of young up-and-coming journalists to editor roles.
Northcliffe South East Managing director Richard Karn said: “Alan has made a huge contribution to our business, most significantly in helping to develop our pool of talented journalists and Editors – we all wish him every success in this exciting new chapter of his career”
Alan’s departure leaves Bristol Post editor Mike Norton as the only survivor of the six Northcliffe regional editorial directors whose roles were effectively dismantled in a restructure last year.
The others were John Meehan (North-East), Malcolm Pheby (Midlands), Alan Qualtrough (South West dailies) and Andy Cooper (South West weeklies.) All have left the company over the past 12 months.
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Good luck Alan’s – a journalist’s journalist and great fun to work with. Kampala won’t know what’s hit it. Less of the Margate jibes though.
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Wow – I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the Kampala classrooms when Zebedee gets to work! His students won’t know what’s hit them… but they won’t half get a good grounding in journalism. Best wishes, Alan!
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Would it not be easier all round if this Friday HTFP just listed all Northcliffe editors with more than two years’ service (thus seemingly making them an ‘expensive’ commodity to the Derry Street barons) and added ‘STILL REMAINING IN THEIR POST THIS WEEK AS FAR AS WE ARE AWARE’ alongside their names?
We could all then print this out as a ‘cut out and keep’ guide to the carnage that is Northcliffe editorial “strategy” at the moment and watch as more and more bite the bullet……sorry ‘move on to pastures new/seek fresh challenges/look for further opportunities/collect my payoff’ (I made that last one up – no-one actually tells the truth in these scenarios, natch).
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Alan is a brilliant editor and is easily the biggest loss to the industry of all those who have left NML within the past year or so.
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Good luck, Al. Off on your globe-trotting adventures again. Lucky Ugandans, I can testify that Al is a great teacher having worked with him over the years.
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Good luck, Alan. The industry is losing a big beast….
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