News

More top names added to Future of News line-up

Posted on: January 26, 2023 by Claire Meadows

More influential editors, journalists and industry experts have been added to the line-up for the Society of Editors’ Future of News conference in March.

Ben Taylor, recently announced as the new Editor of The Sunday Times will join a distinguished Editors’ Panel looking at the future of news and challenges facing the industry.

Other speakers confirmed this week for the high-profile event include Sarah Whitehead, Deputy Head of Newsgathering at Sky News, Sophia Smith Galer, Senior News Reporter at VICE World News, Rebecca Camber, Crime and Security Editor at the Daily Mail, Tom Richell, Head of Multimedia at The Independent, Jo Adetunji, Editor at The Conversation UK, Conor Matchett, Deputy Political Editor at the Scotsman, Rizwana Hamid, Director at the Centre for Media Monitoring, Hannah Storm, Founder and co-director of the Headlines Network and Sophie Peachey, Journalist and Producer at The News Movement.

Conor Matchett, named Regional Journalist of the Year at the Society’s Media Freedom Awards last year in honour of his political coverage, will join a panel looking at politics, policing and holding power to account. He will be joined by the Mail’s Rebecca Camber who is also Chair of the Crime Reporters Association.

Looking to the title theme of the conference and the future of news, Sophia Smith Galer, author, journalist and award-winning TikTok creator will discuss her success as a pioneer of news-gathering on the social media platform. She will be joined by Tom Richell, Head of Multimedia for The Independent and Jo Adetunji, Editor at The Conversation UK.

Sarah Whitehead, Deputy Head of Newsgathering at Sky News and Rizwana Hamid, Director at the Centre for Media Monitoring and Hannah Storm, founder and co-director of the Headlines Network will join an important panel discussion looking at trust and transparency in the industry, diversity and inclusion, mental health and tackling news avoidance.

Sophie Peachey, Journalist and Producer for The News Movement will also join a panel discussion looking at the future of royal reporting.   

Announcing the new additions to the line-up, Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors said: “We are delighted to add such high-profile and distinguished editors, journalists and industry experts to what is shaping up to be a fantastic programme looking at the Future of News on 15 March.”

The one-day event, which brings together more than 200 leading editors and journalists from all sectors of the UK news media, will take place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, London City.

Further panellists and keynote speakers will be announced in due course alongside the broadcast recipient of a special fellowship award for outstanding contribution to journalism.

Booking for the conference is open with an early-bird rate available before 13th February at £135+VAT for members and £145+VAT for non-members. Anyone wishing to book or enquire about sponsorship opportunities should email Angela Upton at office@societyofeditors.org.