Board and Governance
Serving Our Members First
As a club founded by journalists (and ex-journalists) for journalists, our governance structure is designed to protect the interests of our members.
The Club is led by a working Board responsible for its governance, finances and strategic direction. Board members have defined areas of responsibility, while major decisions and the Club’s programme of events are developed collectively.
The Board is guided by the Club’s founding principles of independence, inclusivity and openness. We aim to ensure that the Board reflects the diversity of our membership in terms of professional experience, gender, nationality and career stage.
The Board will be supported by an independent Advisory Board, as well as interns and volunteers who contribute to the Club’s activities and development.
Founded in August 2024 as an informal grouping, thanks to huge demand from our community, the decision was taken to formalise the Club. To oversee its development, an interim Board has been appointed with three Directors (as of July 2026), who are actively working on the admin and actively recruiting more members for the Board of Directors and Advsiory Board from a diverse range of candidates. Confirmed appointments will be publicised as soon as possible.
For any questions or concerns, or to apply for open Board roles (see below), members can contact the Secretary and Treasurer at: correspondentsclublondon@gmail.com
Edward Lawrence
President
Edward Lawrence is a freelance producer and camera operator working across news and documentaries. He was previously based in Beijing and Shanghai as a senior journalist with the BBC from 2019-2025 where he covered everything from the Covid pandemic and lockdowns to Shanghai’s booming coffee culture. Though China is now very much his second home, he now covers world affairs from London and keeps a keen focus on China and the Asia-Pacific region.
Robert Postings
Vice-President
Robert Postings is a freelance journalist and editor based in London. He has written or edited for The Times, Daily Mail, Time Out Shanghai, The Wire China, and Endpoints News (a Financial Times company). He previously spent six years living and working in China. Outside of the Club, he is also a director at New Tide Media Network and Young China Watchers.
Elaine Chong
Community & Partnerships
Elaine Chong is a British Chinese journalist at the BBC World Service investigating crime in Chinese communities around the world. In 2017, she was selected as one of the BBC World Service's 'Future Voices' and has worked as a broadcast journalist on BBC’s flagship current affairs programmes such as BBC Newsnight, Radio 4 Today, and Focus on Africa. Her reporting has also appeared in Rolling Stone magazine, The Guardian, VICE, British GQ, and Esquire magazine.
Board of Directors
Oliver Pearce
Secretary & Treasurer
Oliver Pearce leads the London office of an international tech PR agency. He was previously a reporter and editor in Shanghai, where he lived for 15 years, holding roles at 21st Century Business Herald (21世纪经济报道), Interfax and China Economic Review. Oliver was formerly Head of Global Marketing for NYSE-listed Emeren Group and served on the Board of the Shanghai Foreign Correspondents’ Club from 2020-2024.
Under Recuritment
Memberships
Leads member recruitment, engagement and retention, helping ensure the Club remains welcoming, relevant and responsive to its members.
This voluntary role requires approximately 2–4 hours per month, with occasional attendance at Club events.
Under Recuritment
Students & Early-Career Journalists
Represents the interests of students and early-career journalists.
Oversees the Club's intern and volunteer programme, and helps build relationships with universities and journalism schools.
We particularly welcome applications from students or early-career professionals.
This voluntary role requires approximately 2–4 hours per month, with occasional attendance at Club events.
