In the news: Nigel Dacre

January 10, 2003

Nigel Dacre knows a thing or two about the media, so the managers at the London School of Printing who lured the former ITV news supremo to run their prestigious media school could be forgiven for revelling in their coup.

"We are delighted that someone with Nigel's background, experience and credentials is joining the senior management team," LCP head Will Bridge said.

As editor of ITN news between 1995 and September last year, Mr Dacre was responsible for the entire news output of ITV, where he won 24 industry awards during his editorship. Being the younger brother of Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre will no doubt help boost his profile in a media school that spans the press, TV, radio, film and photography.

As well as delivering the news, Mr Dacre, 46, has also been at the receiving end. He courted controversy throughout 2002 over his decision to shift the timing of the flagship News at Ten - rebilled by unsympathetic commentators as the "News at When?" as part of a tough ratings war with the BBC. He attracted more media attention with his abrupt exit from ITN.

Mr Dacre said he had left ITN because "seven years is a long time", but there was speculation that he left in a fit of pique at failing to be promoted as successor to ITN editor-in-chief Richard Tait. Some attributed the snub to unease over his brother's vociferous attacks on the BBC. The Times was forced to print a retraction after it said Mr Dacre had left ITN "kicking and shouting", pointing out that "the manner of his departure was civilised and professional".

Educated at the University College School in Hampstead, London, and at St John's College, Oxford, Mr Dacre joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1978, and cut his teeth as a regional journalist in Bristol.

Married to Jane Dacre, a professor of clinical skills at University College London, he should also have a good sense for the tribulations of academic life.

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