A FORMER York student has swapped reading the news headlines for making them – after clinching a contract to help business leaders of the future in Africa.

Harrogate-born Vicky Locklin graduated from York St John College – now York St John University – in TV, film and photography before becoming a radio and television presenter. Now she has been invited by the British High Commission in Kenya to deliver a series of masterclass lectures to more than 1,000 budding media entrepreneurs in Mombasa and Nairobi.

During her six-day whistle-stop tour covering almost 15,000 miles, she will be drawing upon her 20-year career in broadcasting – including being a well-known face on Calendar News and ITV – to pass on her wealth of industry knowledge and adding an extra dimension to their pitch for new business.

Vicky, 43, will be working alongside Kenya’s leading television breakfast show presenter, Jimmi Gathu.

As part of her invitation to provide a first-hand insight into the UK media world, she has also forged links with the inaugural Gorbachev Award-winning Evans Wadongo, the Kenyan inventor famed for pioneering a solar powered lantern which has been honoured as a ground-breaking initiative worldwide.

His invention has transformed the lives of thousands of rural-based Africans, who have no access to electricity. The lamp has become a clean, healthy alternative to wood fires as a source of light.

Vicky, who now runs her own media and presentation training company, said: “It is a great honour to be invited to Kenya to pass on behind-the-screen secrets and tips – and having the opportunity to work alongside two of the country’s best-known names.”

Her lectures are aimed at entrepreneurs in a range of sectors, including broadcasting, architecture, computers, music, theatre, advertising, antiques, crafts, video and photography, publishing, beauty and cosmetics, managing and consulting, and estate agency.