Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Visiting Fellow appointed at Leeds Beckett
Bernard is Director of Branksome Partners Ltd, a communications advisory firm working with individuals, businesses and organisations to promote and protect their interests. He also contributes a regular column to The Spectator.
Bernard was previously Business Editor of the Yorkshire Post (2008-16) and led the editorial and commercial development of the prestigious title’s business brand. He chaired its flagship Excellence in Business Awards, attracting speakers including David Cameron, George Osborne and Ed Balls and blue-chip sponsors such as Aviva, Goldman Sachs and PwC.
Bernard has extensive experience in the UK media industry, working as editor of the award-winning media start-up Kent on Sunday (2005-07), and as a reporter at The Mail on Sunday (2002-05), covering major stories from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
He started his journalism career at the London Newspaper Group and is a philosophy graduate of the University of Manchester.
Outside of work, Bernard is a member of the regional leadership group of Mosaic, a Prince’s Trust charity which inspires young people from deprived communities to realise their talents and potential.
Speaking about his appointment, Bernard said: “I am looking forward to working with the students and staff at Leeds Beckett to help develop the next generation of journalistic talent. I am excited about the opportunity to give something back to the profession that has given me so much reward and fulfilment over the years."
Dr George Lodorfos, Dean of Leeds Business School at Leeds Beckett, added: “Bernard’s depth of knowledge, experience and reputation makes him a perfect ambassador for Leeds Business School. We look forward to his contribution to our commitment to deliver practice relevant education for all of our students.”
In the 2016 National Student Survey, Leeds Beckett’s BA (Hons) Journalism course was given 100% student satisfaction by final year students, whilst The Guardian’s 2017 Journalism, Publishing and Public Relations (PR) league table placed Leeds Beckett in fourth position behind Cardiff, Robert Gordon and Loughborough universities respectively.