The venue for the evening has now been confirmed as The Curzon Victoria, 58 Victoria St, London, SW1E 6QW. We welcome all Eastbournian Society members, including former pupils and their parents, to join industry leaders as well as sixth formers and the ES team to talk all things media and journalism. 

Our host and guest speaker is John Ryley (Blackwater 1975-80), Head of Sky News:

John Ryley was appointed the Head of Sky News in 2006. He began his career as a BBC Graduate News Trainee, went on to programme edit ITV 's News at Ten. He was appointed Sky's Executive Editor in 2000 responsible for daily news coverage across digital, television and audio.  

In 2009, he launched a successful campaign for Britain's first live televised Leaders’ Debates in the run-up to the UK General Election in 2010. He was recognised for his role in this campaign by the British television industry with Broadcast’s 'Individual Achievement Award'. John has been involved in almost every news story of the past 40 years winning numerous awards including several BAFTAS.

The Royal Television Society in 2021 gave John the Outstanding Contribution Award saying he had ‘effected genuine change in our industry. His style is innovative, idiosyncratic. His integrity, influence and authority colossal’.

John is on the board of the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

Our networking events are for Eastbournian Society members involved or interested in the industry, as well as for a selected number of current pupils who will be invited to attend.