NCTJ appoints Laura Adams as head of Journalism Skills Academy
Laura Adams, director of content development at Archant, is to become head of the Journalism Skills Academy at the NCTJ in a new role.
Laura Adams, director of content development at Archant, is to become head of the Journalism Skills Academy at the NCTJ in a new role.
Laura will lead the development and growth of the Journalism Skills Academy, which is supported by the Google News Initiative and provides training opportunities for journalists at every stage of their career.
As a member of the senior leadership team, Laura will also contribute to the charity’s overall development strategy and financial and operational plans.
Commenting on her appointment, Laura said: “I am delighted to be joining the NCTJ in this exciting new role as head of the Journalism Skills Academy.
“I am hugely passionate about training and the ongoing development of journalists and look forward to working with the team at the NCTJ and the industry to further develop quality standards across the board.”
Laura, who starts at the NCTJ in September, joined Archant in 2008 as deputy editor of the Ham & High and became editor of the Barking and Dagenham Post in 2010. Since then, she has held editorial director roles before becoming director of content development in 2021. Newsquest acquired Archant earlier this year.
Laura completed her NCTJ training at Cardiff University and her first journalism job in 2002 was trainee reporter at the Rhondda Leader.
She also held the position of vice chair of the NCTJ between 2014-2022.
Joanne Butcher, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “I am thrilled Laura is to lead our skills academy with a clear mandate to accelerate growth in provision and impact.
“Laura will work with employers to develop the careers of their editorial teams as well as supporting freelance journalists and all those who need journalism skills training and development.
“With her knowledge and expertise, Laura will also strengthen the NCTJ’s senior management team while two members take career breaks for maternity leave.”
Toby Granville, editorial development director at Newsquest and an NCTJ trustee, said: “Although I’m sorry Laura is moving on, I think she is perfectly suited to this important position at the NCTJ.
“As a big supporter of the NCTJ and the Journalism Skills Academy, I look forward to working with Laura in her new role and wish her well in the next stage of her career.”
