NCTJ director to launch journalism training programme in Africa

NCTJ board member and award-winning editor, Alan Geere, is swapping Essex for Africa to help journalism students in Uganda.

Alan will leave his role in September as editorial director at Northcliffe South East and editor-in-chief of the Essex Chronicle to move to Victoria University in Uganda’s capital Kampala, where he is to launch the university’s first journalism degree programme.

Speaking about his new role Alan said: “I’ve been lucky to work in quite a bit of the developing world – Afghanistan, Caribbean, eastern Europe…Margate! – and see this as a great opportunity to strengthen my international experience.

“These are exciting times for journalism everywhere and I’m delighted to be able to use my expertise in an area where a strong media is a vital component in the democratic process.”

Alan has previously helped journalists in Romania, China and Vietnam and led a project in Afghanistan to introduce civil society journalism as well as editing papers in the US, Canada and Trinidad.

During his time with Northcliffe Alan twice led the Essex Chronicle to the weekly newspaper of the year award at the Regional Press Awards and oversaw the introduction of the central subbing unit that produces the region’s 35 weekly titles.

Alan has been an NCTJ director for three years and has played an active role within the organisation.

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said: “Alan has been a wonderful addition to our board of directors and an excellent ambassador for the NCTJ and Northcliffe’s training for journalists.

“He has an enviable knack for spotting talented journalists of the future and supporting them in their careers.”

“He will be missed by everyone at the NCTJ and I hope he will keep in touch and join us for the Journalism Skills Conference later in the year.”

Picture: Alan speaking at the NCTJ Journalism Skills Conference 2011 in Belfast