Neil Benson

Neil began his media career as a trainee reporter on his hometown newspaper, The Star. During his career, he edited the Coventry Telegraph and the Newcastle Chronicle and, for sixteen years, was regionals editorial director at Reach plc.

Today, Neil is a media consultant, specialising in leadership development, executive mentoring, digital transformation and process improvement.

He is a visiting professor at the University of Huddersfield, where he delivers masterclasses to journalism students. He is also a course advisor and lecturer on the University of Central Lancashire's Journalism, Innovation & Leadership programme, which focuses on expanding the horizons of talented editorial managers.

Neil is a former president and board member of the Society of Editors and is the current chair of the Editors' Code of Practice committee.