KM Group journalist Neil Webber retires after more than 30 years in the business
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Neil Webber, with KM
Group Chairman Geraldine Allinson, is joined by colleagues at
his farewell presentation at the company's Gazette House,
Whitstable on Friday. Picture: Chris Davey
A long-serving KM
Group journalist who spent the last decade of his career
helping young reporters learn the skills of the job, has
retired.
Neil
Webber, 60, was the company’s editorial training manager but his
own career as a reporter began with the Kentish Gazette in
1977.
A former pupil of Kent College who
grew up in Canterbury, his love of sport soon saw him offered the
post of sports editor and later, after the Gazette was acquired by
the KM Group, he became group sports editor.
He was subsequently appointed group
production editor but then took on the role of managing the KM
Group’s own training of journalists, in association with the
National Council for the Training of
Journalists.
He said: “Today’s journalists have
to be multi-skilled to provide material for the wide range of new
media. But the best reporters still have that natural instinct and
intuition for getting stories.
“It is a hugely popular industry
but has become increasingly competitive because there are fewer
vacancies. It means employers can afford to choose candidates with
the highest academic qualifications - but they still look out for
those who show that special flair.”
He added; “I’ve been lucky to have
spent so much of my life working in such an enjoyable and rewarding
career and to have worked for a company that believes passionately
in the value of training.”
Ian Carter, KM Group editorial
director said: “In his time with the KM, Neil has helped develop
the careers of hundreds of journalists. Neil’s passion for
journalism is as strong as ever, and he has played a leading role
in helping to establish the KM Group as a truly multi-media
company."
Neil, who lives St Stephen’s Road,
says he will miss the buzz of the newsroom but is looking forward
to spending more time playing golf, travelling and with his
family.
Monday, March 08 2010
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