View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. The Wire
  2. Obituaries
February 22, 2008

NCTJ’s ‘financial brains’ dies aged 77

By Press Gazette

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has paid tribute to its former chairman, the newspaper veteran Christopher Dicks, who has died at the age of 77.

Dicks, who spent more than 40 years at the Huddersfield Daily Examiner alongside his work for the NCTJ, died suddenly while on holiday visiting his daughter in New Zealand.

He joined the Examiner in 1951 and worked as general manager before being appointed managing director of the title in 1974. He later became company chairman, and retired in 1995.

Dicks had been involved with the NCTJ since 1968, when he joined the organisation as chair of its finance committee. He later went on to serve two terms as chairman before retiring from the board in 2004.

The current NCTJ chairman, Kim Fletcher, said Dicks had been the ‘financial brains’behind the organisation.

‘The strengths of the organisation today, particularly its firm financial footing, are due in no small part to Christopher’s outstanding skill, dedication and support.”

The NCTJ chief executive, Joanne Butcher, said Dicks’ death brought to an end a significant chapter in the group’s history.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

‘Christopher was regarded with great affection and respect by everyone who was involved closely with the NCTJ over many years,’she said.

‘I always sent him a copy of our annual report with his Christmas card and he always wrote back a hugely encouraging letter. In his last note to me he said he was delighted that the newspaper industry had merged its training schemes. He loved his trips to New Zealand and was devoted to his wife and family.”

Dicks, who was also a former director of Reuters and the Newspaper Society, was awarded the OBE in 1996 for services to the newspaper industry.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network