The first woman to hold the role, Georgina Harvey (pictured) said: “This is a really exciting time to have been elected president as local media is becoming ever more important – to readers, to advertisers and to society as a whole. Paradoxically, in an era obsessed with all things global, life has become increasingly local. Regional media is the bedrock of local democracy, fiercely independent and with a proud tradition of holding those in authority to account.
“The key strengths of the regional press are an unrivalled and growing audience reach, a unique and trusted relationship with readers and the delivery of a powerful medium for advertisers. I’m looking forward to championing local media through the NS to ensure that our voice is heard loud and clear and that we remain a vital force with a healthy future.”
She succeeds David Fordham, chief executive of Iliffe News and Media, who was president for the past year. Geraldine Allinson, chairman of KM Group, becomes NS vice president. A new NS president is elected from the membership every year in July.
Georgina started her media career at the Daily Express where she rose to advertising director. She joined IPC Media in 1995 as group advertising sales director for South Bank and went on to create IPC Advertising in 1998, where she was managing director.
She became a member of the board of IPC Media in 2000 and was subsequently appointed managing director of Wallpaper Group in 2003. She joined Trinity Mirror in February 2005.
