Mail on Sunday editor's talk shines a light on journalism

From Eton to Oxford and then his first junior post as a crime reporter for a Deptford newspaper, he spoke about his extraordinary journey over the past two decades as a journalist which led him, in 2012, to become the editor of one of the most popular newspapers in the UK today, the Mail on Sunday.

Geordie Greig’s incredible career must be the envy of other journalists working in this competitive arena and the inspiration of those toying with the idea of stepping into his world.

He spoke about the people he has had the privilege to meet, the countries he has travelled through and lived in and the sometimes horrific experiences of being caught up in warzones, held at gunpoint and thrown into jail (fortunately safely released).

He has written about the arts, crime and literature and as editor of Tatler for 10 years, covered high society life, interviewed celebrities and artists and made life-long friends.

He liked the ‘can-do’ attitude of working in America and whilst in Germany accepted an invitation to dance with the then unknown Rihanna during one of Amy Winehouse’s live performances.

The Q&A at the end of his talk provided the opportunity for the pupils’ searching questions such as whether a privileged education aids success and how will newspapers fair in the ever increasing instant access digital global news market?

He emphasised that whatever your educational background, hard work pays off – and, with a little bit of luck thrown in – all pupils in schools today have success (whatever success means to them) within their grasp.

He urged them to be proactive and cited his experience of when he first started out, writing to 100 editors, only to get a response from one who nearly didn’t give him a chance.

Geordie was a guest speaker in this term’s lecture series for Year 13’s at Christ’s Hospital and Peter Callas, Senior Grecian (Head pupil) thanked him for such an informative and inspirational evening and presented a signed copy of the collected journalism of Bernard Levin, a former pupil of Christ’s Hospital.

Contributed by Christ’s Hospital School

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3 Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The County Times – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.