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May 22, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Butcher to replace Mellis as NCTJ chief executive

By Press Gazette

Joanne Butcher, currently chief executive of the Publishing National Training Organisation, has been appointed chief executive of the National Council for the Training of Journalists. She succeeds Sally Mellis, who has been forced to retire on health grounds.

Butcher, 38, was director of the Periodicals Training Council from June 1995 to May 2000, when she took up her present position with the Publishing NTO. She will join the NCTJ on 16 June.

“The NCTJ is a well-established brand which has a long track record, and great support with 64 per cent of qualified journalists NCTJ-trained,” she said.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help build on these firm foundations to further develop the NCTJ and journalism training.”

The Publishing NTO lost out in a change in Government policy on training when it was decided NTOs should be replaced by a smaller number of Sector Skills Councils. Controversially, publishing was deemed not a large enough industry to have its own SSC.

Mellis succeeded Rob Selwood as chief executive of the NCTJ last year. She joined the NCTJ in 1982 and held the posts of deputy chief executive and training director.

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NCTJ chairman Rodney Bennett-England said: “We are delighted that Joanne is joining us and have every confidence she will help us develop our products and services. She has unique experience with both newspaper and magazine training and excellent industry contacts.”

By Jon Slattery

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