Ex-Mirror photographer Mike Maloney joins University of Lincoln as prof

The ex-chief photographer at Mirror Group Newspapers, Mike Maloney has joined the University of Lincoln after accepting a visiting professorship.

Maloney is said to be one of the most decorated press photographers in the UK, having won 107 major photographic honours, including Press Photographer of the Year three times, during his 30-year career.

He was chief photographer at the Daily Mirror before going freelance in 2002.

His career has seen him work with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Mae West and Grace Kelly, and world leaders such as Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Nikolai Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin

He is best known, however, for his work photographing the Royal Family, and was said to be the Queen Mother’s favourite press photographer.

He is the only Fleet Street photo-journalist to be awarded an OBE, receiving the honour in 2005.

A Freeman of the City of London, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of Lincoln in 2001. He is believed to be the first Fleet Street photographer to be awarded a professorship of photography.

Mike, who was born and educated in Lincoln, said: ‘It’s a great thrill and honour to be offered the title of visiting professor at my hometown university.

‘Wherever I’ve travelled, I’ve always held the city close to my heart and have kept a keen interest in the spectacular development of the University.

‘I’m very much looking forward to meeting the students and teaching them a few tricks of the trade, as well as offering them some guidance on pursuing a successful career as a photographer.”

He will teach students at University’s College of Arts, which encompasses the schools of media, journalism and art and design.