The QT Team
The QT has a core team of full-timers, boasting more decades of journalistic experience than they care to remember and a collective belief that local and regional journalism should serve its audience with dedication, purpose and meaning.
Our mission to deliver quality storytelling by quality storytellers is backed up by a number of experienced contributing editors, writers, commentators and broadcasters as well as a deep pool of freelance journalists and photographers, and young journalists looking to gain experience and benefit from mentoring opportunities. Contact us if you’d like to be among them.
Brian Aitken
EDITOR
Brian was editor of The Journal, from 2003 to 2014. While at the helm, he built up one of the most extensive and powerful business networks in the North East and initiated multiple successful campaigns and projects that contributed to, and celebrated the success of the region.
The campaigning work involved working in partnership with the likes of the NEECC, CBI, the region’s universities and cultural organisations, Nissan, and Newcastle International Airport.
After eight years working as a media consultant, Brian is delighted to be diving back into North East journalism with determination at a crucial time for the region.
Sam Wonfor
FEATURES EDITOR
North East Arts Journalist of the year in 2007, Sam spent 16 years at The Journal & ChronicleLive as a Senior Arts & Features writer. She was an integral member of the team behind the innovative and award-winning Culture initiative, which combined a monthly magazine; Culture Club members scheme; and annual Culture Awards for more than a decade. Since 2017, Sam has been working as a freelance journalist and media consultant, while continuing to champion the North East’s cultural sector via the founding of website Cultured. North East, which she has brought with her to The QT.
Simon Rushworth
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Simon is a talented and versatile journalist who spent seven years at The Journal as chief sports writer and assistant sports editor. He is the co-founder of media company paperclip.it. Simon is also an experienced lecturer in journalism with a passion for bringing on the profession’s next generation. And talking of passions, he has been the engine of rock music website, RushonRock since 2010.
David Whetstone
SENIOR WRITER
David started writing about visual art for The Journal in the 1980s and became Arts & Entertainment Editor in 1991, interviewing, reviewing and reporting on stories relating to the arts – including the redevelopment of Newcastle and Gateshead quaysides and the emergence of BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and Sage Gateshead. For 12 years, from 2005, he was editor of the Culture magazine, which documented the cultural scene across the wider North East - alongside the daily Culture pages in The Journal - and won regional and national awards. David himself has been named North East Arts Writer of the Year seven times thanks to his insightful and broad-ranging coverage. Since the summer of 2018, David has been writing for Cultured. North East and wider publications across the region.
Steve Jackson
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Steve started in journalism with The Journal before switching to communications with a CV including spells working in Nicaragua, Cameroon and almost two decades in Vietnam. Much of his career has been spent in international charity campaigning including working to end Asia’s bear bile trade and helping Chinese migrant workers access childcare. Before that he was Head of Marketing and Communications for the British Council in Vietnam and English Editor at news website VietNamNet. Back in the UK, Steve has enjoyed stints working in communications with Newcastle City Council, Business Link Tyne & Wear, Tyneside TEC and the Marine Management Organisation.
