New team of ambassadors announced to promote NCTJ’s values
This newly-assembled group of 21 NCTJ-qualified journalists will champion the NCTJ's values of quality, trust and diversity in journalism.
The NCTJ has revealed the names of its new team of ambassadors, which will promote the charity’s values of quality, trust and diversity in journalism.
The announcement was made last night at the NCTJ’s Summer Reception, hosted by Dow Jones and News UK in London to celebrate the success of the Journalism Diversity Fund (JDF).
This newly-assembled group of NCTJ-qualified journalists will attend events such as careers fairs and speak publicly for the charity.
Kim Fletcher, NCTJ chairman, said the charity is “really privileged” to bring the group of 21 journalists together and thanked them for their contribution.
He added: “Join us in getting the word out, talking about journalism and talking about what we’re trying to do on the diversity front.”
Outstanding journalists were selected to represent areas across the UK and have a range of backgrounds and experiences.
They entered journalism through a variety of pathways and represent different branches of the industry from print, digital and broadcast to podcasts, social media and communications.
Some of the ambassadors have benefited from the Journalism Diversity Fund, while some entered the profession through the Community News Project. Others have been recognised at the NCTJ’s Awards for Excellence.
Twenty-one ambassadors have initially been appointed to the group:
- Karimah Bangura – digital news producer, ITN
- Simon Bennett – PR officer, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
- Hayley Clarke – advanced apprentice, BBC News
- Danielle Desouza – multimedia journalist, PA Media
- Ayisha Gharu – social media executive, What Car? Magazine
- Mirek Gosney – trainee reporter, Newbury News
- Kia-Elise Green – features writer, i
- Gee Harland – court and crime reporter, Oxford Mail
- Alex Homer – senior journalist, BBC Shared Data Unit
- Sara Keenan – reporter, People of Colour in Tech
- Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero – junior European editor, The Athletic
- Amar Mehta – assistant news editor, Sky News
- Rhoda Morrison – editor, Edinburgh Evening News
- Sophie Perry – news reporter, PinkNews
- Yasmin Sarwar – reporter, StokeOnTrent Live
- Aisha Sembhi – digital journalist, BBC
- Damian Shepherd – European real estate reporter, Bloomberg
- Catrin Shi – editor in chief, Insurance Insider
- Amrit Singh Mann – junior journalist, Sky News
- Charlotte Vowles – press officer, Headway
- Emaan Warraich – journalist, BBC World Service
Kim – who was appointed a trustee and joined the NCTJ’s board in June 2004 and then soon after elected chairman – recently confirmed he is stepping down after 20 years. He was previously editorial director of Telegraph Group and a former editor of the Independent on Sunday.
