The new leader of the Society of Editors has told journalists of colour who complained about its public statements on diversity that it is “determined to lead from the front” to make UK newsrooms more diverse.

Dawn Alford (pictured) took up the role of executive director last month and said it has since been her “priority to listen and understand” what is being done around industry diversity and what more there is to do.

She has held several meetings, including with Haroon Siddique, who organised an open letter signed by more than 120 journalists of colour critiquing the Society’s ongoing response, and with Joseph Harker and Brendan O’Grady who shared the views of the Guardian.