Our People

John Dalton – Director

A graduate of biochemistry from London University, John started his publishing career in 1991, when he became a medical editor for a leading scientific publisher. John was managing editor of Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, one of the world's leading medical review journals.

In addition to this role, he was also Project Editor for a number of monographs aimed at GPs and Consultants. He left his Editorial role to take control of the London School of Publishing. John was commissioned to write a report on Corporate Reputation in 2003 and in 2008 he authored a book on Reputation Management.

As an author himself, John is familiar with the publishing process and ensures that all courses at LSP are delivered to the highest standard expected from both course delegates and the publishing industry.

John is also the Director of the London School of Public Relations (LSPR), LSP's sister organisation. John has been made a fellow of the Institute of Training and Occupational Learning (ITOL) and is a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

John works closely with the LSP Course Director and teaching staff, to ensure that all the course contents are kept up-to-date and continue to reflect any changes and developments within the publishing industry.

Steven O’Brien – Director

Steven O’Brien is a widely published poet, novelist, editor, critic, academic and journalist.

Since 2010 Steven has been editor of The London Magazine, Britain’s oldest journal of literature and the arts (est. 1732). The magazine publishes the best in new writing and features short fiction, essays, poetry and reviews. His avowed aim has been to reinvigorate the The London Magazine and position it at the centre of British literary life, and also to give the publication an international resonance. He has expanded the digital profile of the magazine by publishing key collections of writing and poetry by emerging and established international writers.

Steven holds a PhD in Writing from the University of Sussex. He lectures at the University of Portsmouth, where he has designed many innovative writing courses, including The Literary Journalist, Travel Writing, Fan Fiction, The Short Story and Writing Poetry for Page and Stage. He leads the PhD Writing programme at Portsmouth. He is also a Visiting Fellow of Creative Writing at University College Chichester. His critical essays have most recently been published in journals such as Agenda and Grammarye. Steven has judged literary competitions, both in the UK and the UAE.

His writing has appeared in The Middle East Online, The New Statesman, Newsmax International and The Travellers’ Magazine.

Steven has been leading the literary section of The Critics Circle since early 2014. He is building a team of prominent critics who inspire articulate contemporary literary thought.

Steven has published two acclaimed collections of poetry – Dark Hill Dreams and Scrying Stone. He has placed poems in many books and journals including Agenda, Granta, The PN Review and The Recusant. His novella The Great Game, An Imperial Adventure was on the Amazon Kindle bestsellers list and his next novella, The Lord of Lightning will be published soon.

He is acting as an editorial consultant to the former Syrian diplomat Ghayth Armanazi.

Dalal Nageh – Training & Communications Director

Dalal is Course Director for LSP and has been working with the School for a number of years. Under Dalal's leadership and management, LSP has grown considerably both in size and scope.

Dalal is also Course Director and Senior Trainer with the London School of Public Relations. She is experienced in dealing with both the organisational and operational running of the schools and in managing the structure of the training courses, their delivery and content.

Dalal is always available to discuss details of the training programmes with potential delegates and clients. She also oversees course delegates' progress. She liaises continuously with the LSP tutors to ensure standrads are regulated. Furthermore, Dalal works closely with John Dalton on course delegates' progress as well as syllabus development; ensuring that the content of the courses are up-to-date, dynamic and relevant.

Rhys Webber - Website Developer & Social Media Advisor

Rhys currently runs Webber Design ltd — a full-service graphic design (for print and web) and commercial photography studio in Newport, South Wales, which began in 2004. Webber Design has worked with a number of high profile clients including Sainsbury's, the NHS, Debenhams, Tata Steel, The British Army, BAE Systems and many others. Webber Design started offering social media and online marketing consultancy for their web design clients in the late 2000s as social media platforms started to proliferate.

In addition to running Webber Design, Rhys has a portfolio career of other business activities. These include working as a Youth Entrepreneurship Role Model for the Welsh government (Big Ideas Wales), developing and teaching courses in social media (here at LSPR), being director of a creative arts consultancy company, exhibiting as a fine-art photographer, acting as visiting University lecturer, and playing in the space rock band, Ampersand (guitar/vocals/keyboards).

Rhys comes from a family of teachers/lecturers and has been teaching for over twenty years (up to Masters Degree level) in London, Wales and Madrid.

David Fleck – Programmes and Admissions Officer

David is responsible for the smooth running of our programmes and admissions, as well as general administration and marketing of events and courses. He is the key person in looking after the admissions  and plays a pivotal role in co-ordinating between our teams, the trainers and the clients.

David currently holds a BA degree in Communication and Media Production and has a keen interest in all things media related. David held a position as an IT and Publications Officer during his time at The University of Newcastle, which saw him plan and market academic, cultural, social and sporting events at the university.  Previously, whilst at the University of Arizona, David studied photo and film journalism, Native American studies and documentary production.

David has travelled extensively through the Americas, Europe and Asia and has lived and studied in both Australia and the USA. David’s interests include photography, music, playing football, cinema and travel. He is an avid football fan!

Jeff Davy – Course Tutor: Book Editing & Advanced Editorial

Jeff Davy has worked in journalism and publishing for more than 40 years, and in publishing education and training for the last 30 years — for colleges and training bodies as well as major publishing companies. He has been a tutor at the London School of Publishing (LSP) since 1995.

He has worked as an Editor, Publications Editor and Editorial Manager on a wide range of publications. He also jointly ran a consultancy advising companies on their internal/external communications and training policies.

He was a senior lecturer in journalism at the London College of Communication (formerly the London College of Printing), part of the University of the Arts London, for six years in the 1980s, and again as a visiting tutor from 1997-2010. During the intervening years he worked as a freelance production editor and trainer. Jeff is one of LSP's longest established tutors, teaching on the Book Editing courses. He is also a trainer for a number of LSP's in-house bespoke courses offered to clients.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Internal Communication (formerly the British Association of Communicators in Business) and has won three national editing awards. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; a member of  the Association for Journalism Education; and a Life Member of the National Union of Journalists. In 2001 Jeff received the School's award for his contribution to editorial training. Jeff is highly valued at LSP as an approachable tutor dedicated to his students' success.

Daniela Hart - Course Tutor: Picture Research

Daniela Hart has worked as a professional picture editor and researcher for 20 years, and her extensive knowledge procures an excellent insight into the picture industry. Having also read Fine Arts, specialising in Photojournalism, for her BA degree and further a post-graduate degree in Photography, History and Culture at London College of Communication, Daniela has a wealth of experience to draw from.

Currently, Daniela is working as a freelance Picture Editor for ESI Media, The Evening Standard, The Independent, The Financial Times and The Sunday Times. She has worked both in print and online and on various supplements for national newspapers: The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times (Style Magazine, The Dish Magazine, Travel, Culture and Homes and Property), The London Evening Standard (ES magazine and Homes and Property), The Independent (various Travel Sponsored features), The Financial Times (UK News and How To Spend It).

Daniela has also worked within the magazine industry, having worked with a multitude of clients such as Brummell, Salt, The Quarterly, OK! And Look. A selection of various inflight magazines like: Eurostar, KLM, Iberia, EasyJet, Eurowings, Thomas Cook and Wizz.

Daniela’s knowledge also extends to the book industry having worked with the following clients on a selection of educational and reference titles: Brown Partworks, Belitha Press, Franklin Watts, Guinness World of Records.

Her experience with Marketing and Advertising departments extends to working with organisations such as British Airways, American Express, Nectar, MacArthur Glen, Westfield, Vodaphone, Hiscox and University of West England.

Daniela aims to help students to understand the publishing market, guide them through the complications of copyrights and advise them in how to progress in their careers; searching for relevant work experience and jobs.

Kate Trant – Sub-Editing Trainer

Kate was editorial lead for Black Dog Publishing (BDP) and Artifice books on architecture (Artifice), two affiliated, independent art and architecture publishing houses based in London. She currently writes and edits for UAL (University of the Arts London). known as Impact Case Studies in readiness for the next REF in 2021.

Kate’s experience during her time at BDP and Artifice is extensive. She wrote original text, edited the work of others and copy-edited and proof-read a large quantity and range of titles. Across the two houses, the published list numbered around 80 new books each year, each requiring a differing amount and type of input, from light-touch editing and proofing, to full-scale re-writing where necessary. Her work on the new business side of both companies involved securing contracts, working closely with new clients to bring books from first ideas to publication.

Kate has a great deal of experience in public-speaking and in training. Whilst at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), I led the organisation’s work on health, well-being and the built environment. Kate delivered a range of different events from training events with planners, to major speaking events to groups of professionals including architects, designers and nurses, from 20 to 500.

Kate has written many articles and features for magazines and periodicals, on subjects to do with architecture and design. She has authored three books of my as writer and/or editor.

Martin Lloyd – Course Tutor: Copy Editing and Writing for the Web

Martin Lloyd was until recently head of publishing standards for the BBC’s training division, the BBC Academy.

For the past 10 years he has been showing BBC producers and trainers how to take their writing to the next level. He’s trained TV and radio producers, BBC News journalists and senior managers.

Martin coached and mentored a team of digital content producers, signing off everything prior to publication. He’s also produced online courses and writing guides for all BBC staff.

Prior to the BBC, Martin edited copy for newspapers and magazines such as The Guardian, Metro, Broadcast, New Statesman and Marketing Week.