Long-standing regional newspaper executive Danny Cammiade has taken over as chairman of trade body the News Media Association.

Danny, pictured, has been chief executive of Tindle Newspapers since June 2018 having previously enjoyed a long career as a senior manager at Johnston Press.

He is also a non-executive director at JP successor company National World and chair of Isle of Man Newspapers.

He takes over at the NMA from Reach plc chief executive Jim Mullen who completed his tenure as chairman on 31 December.

Said Danny: “We are entering a critical year for our democracy with a general election here in the UK and in many countries across the world.

“As AI turbocharges bad actors’ capacity to create and distribute misinformation, trusted news and information will be more important than ever before.

“It is vital that key pieces of legislation currently before Parliament – the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill and the Media Bill – are delivered as quickly as possible to help build a sustainable future for journalism.

“I look forward to continuing the excellent work that Jim has done to champion our sector during his time as NMA chairman.”

Danny started out in the newspaper industry in 1978 as an ad salesman with Sussex based TR Beckett which was later taken over by JP.

He subsequently progressed rapidly through the ranks, becoming managing director of JP’s North Midlands division, before moving to Portsmouth in 1999 as divisional managing director following the acquisition of Portsmouth & Sunderland Newspapers.

He was appointed director of operations in November 2001 before joining the company’s main board as an executive director in 2005.

Danny came close to being appointed chief executive of JP in November 2011 but the job went to Ashley Highfield.  He eventually left the company in 2013.

This year will mark 10 years since the NMA was launched following the merger of the Newspaper Society, the voice of local media, and the Newspaper Publishers’ Association which represented national publishers.

News UK chief operating officer David Dinsmore has become NMA vice chairman.