Sir David Nicholas

Sir David Nicholas (25 January 1930 – 4 June 2022) was a British broadcast journalist, ITN editor-in-chief, chief executive (1977–1989) and chairman (1989–91).

Early life Nicholas was born in Tregaron, Cardiganshire, Wales on 25 January 1930. He was the son of Daniel Nicholas, a bank's chief cashier, and his wife Elizabeth (née Williams). He was brought up in Glynneath, Glamorgan, and attended Neath grammar school. After graduating in English (Bachelor of Arts) from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and doing national service in the Army's education corps (from 1951 to 1953), Nicholas became a journalist. He worked on The Yorkshire Post, then worked on The Daily Telegraph as a subeditor.

Career Nicholas joined ITN in 1960 as a subeditor. He also did a weekend shift on The Observer. He worked his way up to chief sub and then deputy editor in 1963. He was the producer of ITN's News at Ten programme at its inception. He was editor-in-chief, and produced election night coverage from 1966 to 1987 as well as the Apollo Moon landing coverage, and ITN special programmes. He became chief executive of ITN from 1977 to 1989, and then chairman from 1989 until his retirement in 1991. He was also a director of Channel 4 from 1992 to 1997 and chair of Sports News TV from 1996 to 2003. He was awarded a CBE in the 1982 Birthday Honours and a Knight Bachelor in the 1989 Birthday Honours. He was created a Fellow of University College Aberystwyth and received an Honorary degree (LLD) from the University of Wales in 1990 and was also twice elected President of his university's Old Students' Association in 1990 and 1992. He was also awarded an honorary degree (DHL) from the Southern Illinois University in 2000. He also received the News World Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and was made an Hon. Fellow, of Goldsmiths College, London in 2004. He died on 4 June 2022 at the age of 92.