Geoff Elliott, former editor of three newspapers and for the past three years head of the department of journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, is retiring.
During a distinguished 40-year career in journalism, Elliott, 57, edited The News, Portsmouth, the Coventry Evening Telegraph and the Kent Messenger.
He has been a member of the Press Council, the Press Complaints Commission and the Broadcasting Standards Commission and was the last president of the Guild of Editors and the first of the Society of Editors.
He leaves his post at the end of August and plans to settle in the West Country.
Bob Satchwell, executive director of the SoE, said: “In addition to making his mark in a series of day jobs as editor of three newspapers, Geoff has made an immense contribution to the industry through his work for the Press Council, the PCC and the BSC.
“On top of all that, he engineered the transformation of the Guild of Editors into the Society of Editors “It could not have established its role in fighting for media freedom and standards without his vision, determination and management skills.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
