The National Union of Journalists is to have its first female general secretary - Michelle Stanistreet.
She was declared as elected to the post by the union's national executive council today after the only other candidate, freelancer Chris Youett, withdrew.
Stanistreet, the current deputy general secretary and a former union leader at Express Newspapers, said: "I am immensely proud to be elected to lead our union, and to be the first woman to have the opportunity to do so.
"I will repay the faith placed in me by working hard to build our union, speak up for members and stand up for journalism".
The present NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, who has served 10 years in the role, greeted Stanistreet's election.
"The union is in the best possible hands," he said. "Michelle has been a fantastic deputy and has always fought resolutely to defend journalists and journalism.
"She will work tirelessly on behalf of all members and to ensure the NUJ is and remains the voice of journalists in the workplace and throughout the industry".
Source: NUJ
