Alan Hardwick, born in 1949, is a distinguished former journalist and television presenter, recognized for his role as the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner from 2012 to 2016.
Hailing from a humble background as the son of a Derbyshire coal miner, Hardwick grew up on Chesterfield Road in Staveley and attended Netherthorpe Grammar School. His career in journalism began unexpectedly; after working as an assistant in the men's clothing department at the now-closed Swallows department store in Chesterfield, he was encouraged to pursue journalism by Vincent Cleary, a fellow assistant who arranged an interview at the Derbyshire Times. Hardwick joined the newspaper as a junior reporter in 1965, covering significant local stories, including the passing of Horace Oakley, his former Latin teacher, who inspired him to enter the field.
In 1969, Hardwick transitioned to the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald as a sub-editor before taking on the role of news editor at the Lincolnshire Chronicle. He later served as the district editor for the Faversham News in Kent and held a position at the Scarborough Evening News.
His most notable tenure spanned from 1973 to 2002 at Yorkshire Television, where he worked as a senior journalist, presenter, producer, and director, anchoring the Calendar South news bulletin. His unexpected entry into YTV occurred when he filled in for a presenter stranded by fog.
Later, Hardwick hosted a daily news/current affairs program on Radio Lincolnshire from 2002 to 2003. Since then, he has established himself as a freelance voice-over artist and PR consultant.
Hailing from a humble background as the son of a Derbyshire coal miner, Hardwick grew up on Chesterfield Road in Staveley and attended Netherthorpe Grammar School. His career in journalism began unexpectedly; after working as an assistant in the men's clothing department at the now-closed Swallows department store in Chesterfield, he was encouraged to pursue journalism by Vincent Cleary, a fellow assistant who arranged an interview at the Derbyshire Times. Hardwick joined the newspaper as a junior reporter in 1965, covering significant local stories, including the passing of Horace Oakley, his former Latin teacher, who inspired him to enter the field.
In 1969, Hardwick transitioned to the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald as a sub-editor before taking on the role of news editor at the Lincolnshire Chronicle. He later served as the district editor for the Faversham News in Kent and held a position at the Scarborough Evening News.
His most notable tenure spanned from 1973 to 2002 at Yorkshire Television, where he worked as a senior journalist, presenter, producer, and director, anchoring the Calendar South news bulletin. His unexpected entry into YTV occurred when he filled in for a presenter stranded by fog.
Later, Hardwick hosted a daily news/current affairs program on Radio Lincolnshire from 2002 to 2003. Since then, he has established himself as a freelance voice-over artist and PR consultant.
