An editorial boss is returning to the university where she trained as part of a cohort of working journalists aiming to improve their innovation and leadership skills.

Jacqui Merrington, discovery director at Reach plc, is among 32 editorial bosses from across the world to have been chosen for the University of Central Lancashire’s 2023 journalism innovation and leadership programme.

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

Jacqui will be joined on the course by Laura Davis, Reach’s senior customer editor for the North West, as well as John Baron, eddtor of the independent West Leeds Dispatch.

DC Thomson’s head of audience development Emily Hewett is also part of the 2023 cohort, along with Irish News deputy digital editor Maeve Connolly and Mediahuis Northern Ireland journalist Ciaran O’Neill.

The course is supported financially by the Google News Initiative, which has granted scholarships to 30 of this year’s participants from around the world.

In returning to UCLan, Jacqui is following in the footsteps of her Reach colleague Ed Walker, who also trained at the Preston-based university and enrolled on the course last year.

Jacqui, pictured, said: “I’m delighted for the opportunity to return to UCLan where I started as journalist and develop as a journalism leader.

“Journalism is such a dynamic industry and we need innovation to ensure we have a thriving media landscape.

“I’m looking forward to learning from experts and peers while developing new ideas to reach, engage and monetise audiences around trusted news.”