He succeeds Sam Lister, parliamentary correspondent for Press Association Lobby Extra, who has held the post for the past year.
Nick said: “The Newspaper Conference plays a vital role in ensuring local and regional media has good access to the most senior government ministers. It is also extremely important that politicians have a good understanding of the issues facing the industry and the Conference has an important part to play in helping to make that happen.
“I want to thank Sam Lister for her achievements over the past year and am looking forward to continuing her work in improving access for regional reporters in Whitehall.”
He added: “The local and regional media sector is coming through one of the most severe advertising downturns the industry has ever experienced.
“The picture is gradually improving and publishers believe they are well placed to come through the downturn provided they are given the freedom to continue to innovate and develop their businesses.”
Nick, 40, was appointed parliamentary lobby correspondent for Northcliffe in October 2005.
He writes for the The Herald in Plymouth, Torbay Herald Express, Exeter Express & Echo, Gloucester Citizen, Gloucestershire Echo, and Bath Chronicle.
He started his career in journalism as a junior reporter on the Kentish Express in Ashford, Kent, and went on to become news editor.
He then moved to The Herald in Plymouth, where he was council reporter.
The Newspaper Conference annual general meeting was held in Westminster on Thursday.
About the Conference
The Newspaper Conference comprises London editors and political correspondents of newspapers in membership of the Newspaper Society.
The Conference revolves around a series of lunch meetings, at which senior politicians are invited to address members and answer questions relevant to regional newspapers.
Politicians are elected by local communities and their ties with regional newspapers are vital. The Newspaper Conference gives its members the opportunity to address MPs directly and raise issues of regional and national concern.
Membership
There is no charge for membership of the Newspaper Conference, but representatives must be from newspapers in full membership of the Newspaper Society, and cover the cost of their lunches.
