Death of long-serving former chairman of the photography board

Peter Dash, who served for many years as our chairman of the press photography and photojournalism examinations board, died yesterday.

Peter was a photographer and picture editor at the South Wales Argus for many years and continued to work for the Argus as a freelance after his retirement, combining that with his chairmanship of the NCTJ exam board until 2008.

Current chief examiner for press photography, Steve Phillips, said:

“I was privileged to work with Peter at the South Wales Argus and on the NCTJ’s photography board where Peter worked tirelessly for many years as chairman to maintain high quality training for young press photographers. He was simply Mr South Wales Argus. Everyone in his locality knew and trusted him. He had a gift for quickly getting to know where anyone was from and who their family was. He will be sorely missed within the press and press photography community.”

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said:

“We were so sorry and sad last night to hear of Pete’s death. He was a fantastic supporter and friend of the NCTJ. He inspired hundreds of young press photographers to achieve their best and as a long-serving chairman and chief examiner of our photography examinations board, he personally managed the industry’s training scheme and ensured it set and tested the highest standards of photography and photo journalism.

Peter battled Crohn’s disease for many years and despite his illness he never complained about his suffering and would certainly never miss an examination day or miss a marking deadline. He loved the press, photography and photographers, and was a consummate professional as well as being full of fun and mischief.”