A regional editorial boss is set to help the industry’s leaders of the future in a new journalism training role.

Jeremy Clifford, editor-in-chief at Archant, is joining the board of advisors on the University of Central Lancashire’s journalism innovation and leadership programme, in addition to his current tole.

The course is aimed at working journalists wanting to take the lead in developing modern, digital newsrooms, with guidance from experts.

Those joining the programme as part of its second cohort include Reach Regionals audience and content director Ed Walker and Nicola Adam, who is soon to leave her role as editor of Blackpool daily The Gazette to take up the same position at the Lancashire Post.

Jeremy, pictured, said: “I am delighted to accept the invitation to join the board of industry advisors and mentors.

“Having worked in the industry for around 30 years, I hope I have learned valuable insights and developed enough experience to share with and help others.

“My passion is working with people and seeing them develop and progress their careers.

“It would be a privilege to be able to put something valuable back into an industry that has given me such a rich working experience.”

The certified postgraduate programme is supported by the Google News Initiative, which has provided funding for scholarships and to facilitate the associated mentoring scheme.

The 2022 cohort will begin the course this week.

François Nel, reader in media innovation and entrepreneurship at UCLan and director of the scholarship programme, said: “We are delighted to welcome another forward-thinking media leader to the board of industry advisors and mentors.

“Something our participants regularly feedback to us is how much they value working so closely with an industry mentor.

“Jeremy’s appointment is timely as it comes as we welcome the programme’s next cohort of media professionals from around the world.”