Former newspaper editor dies aged 84
THE former managing editor of the Birmingham Post & Mail, who become a prominent figure in the newspaper industry, has died at the age of 84.
John Hardeman was president of the Guild of Editors, the forerunner of the Society of Editors, in 1985 and helped establish journalism training.
Editor of the Solihull News for seven years, he went on to become editorial director of Reed Midland Newspapers, overseeing the Worcester News among others.
He died in Warwick Hospital on April 19 after suffering a fall at his home in Leamington Spa.
Born in Rugby in 1933, Mr Hardeman left school at the age of 14 and persuaded the editor of the Rugby Advertiser to give him a job.
He remained in the town for a number of years, later as chief reporter of the Coventry Telegraph’s Rugby office.
His son Simon, who also became a journalist, said: “Contacts gave him the nickname ‘Scoop’.”
After editing the Solihull News he became managing editor of the West Midlands Group, which then included the Birmingham Post and Mail.
Then he moved on to be editorial director of Berrows Newspapers, which became Reed Midland Newspapers.
Mr Hardeman also served on the Press Council, the press regulatory body of the time, and spent two years working with the Newspaper Society in London.
He chaired the body responsible for the introduction and running of National Vocational Qualifications across the UK and Northern Ireland, and was chief external verifier of Journalism NVQs for the national awarding body. He also ran training courses accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
In his late 70s, during retirement, Mr Hardeman gained a degree and then a masters in global history, from the University of Warwick.
He also continued to indulge his passion for theatre by continuing to write reviews and also founded a local magazine, Cotswold Diamond.
Suffering from failing eyesight, he suffered a fall at his home in Leamington that led to a rapid decline and he died surrounded by his family.
Mr Hardeman is survived by his children Simon, Sarah, Jonathan, Joanna, and Laure.