Peter Preston

Peter Preston was a distinguished journalist, author (Bess and 51st State), and former newspaper editor. During his time at St John’s, he served as editor of Cherwell before securing a three-year traineeship at the Liverpool Daily Post. He joined the Guardian in 1963 and was editor from 1975 to 1995. He was a member of the Scott Trust (the sole shareholder in Guardian Media Group) from 1979 to 2003, Chairman of the International Press Institute from 1995 to 1997, and Chairman of the Association of British Press Editors from 1996 to 1997.

Peter was also a Co-Director of the Guardian Foundation for fifteen years, training journalists in Eastern Europe and Africa and was a Founder and Preparatory Committee Chairman of the new European Press Prize, giving awards to journalists in 47 different European countries.

Awarded honorary degrees by City University, London and the Universities of Leicester, Loughborough, Essex and Roehampton, he was a strong supporter of College, helping students interested in careers in journalism.