Hardware to take helm of journalism professional body

Chelgate’s Michael Hardware has been appointed Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIOJ).

The CIOJ is the world’s oldest journalism professional body, having received its first Royal Warrant, from Queen Victoria, over 140 years ago.  Michael, who heads up Chelgate Local, has been a member of the Chelgate team for over 25 years.

He has also been a member of the CIOJ for over 15 years, serving on its national council for the last eight. He has been responsible for the development of a long term strategy which addresses the current poor perception of journalism, the ongoing shift in many publications due to technology and the lack of young people seeing journalism as a profession.

This strategy centres on the creation of ‘Chartered’ status. Michael is working with several education partners to create the framework which will enable qualified journalists to achieve the status and call themselves ‘Chartered Journalists’. It will set specific standards of education, training, experience and conduct, and will give young people a clear career path in the profession.

Michael will serve for two years as Vice-President before becoming President in 2022.

Chelgate Executive Chairman, Terence Fane-Saunders, said: “Mike’s enormous experience, great judgement and deep understanding of the world of journalism have always been invaluable assets for Chelgate and our clients. I know those same qualities will make him an outstanding Vice President, and later, President of the CIOJ”.