Bert Morgan, much-loved chief sub-editor of the Telegraph’s City and Business section

Morgan’s coolness under pressure was shown as the Fleet Street newspapers metamorphosed from ‘hot metal’ to the brand-new world of computers

Bert Morgan, who has died aged 93, was for more than 25 years a key member of the editorial production team at The Daily Telegraph, latterly as chief sub-editor of the City and Business section.
During his time in charge of that department, Morgan gained a reputation as the ultimate professional, and of being calm under fire in an invariably hectic environment.
These qualities meant that Morgan’s department was at the forefront of technological changes to newspaper production, as the great Fleet Street behemoths metamorphosed from the clunking days of hot metal to the brand-new world of computers in the mid-1980s.
While the rest of the paper watched on, Bert led the “advance charge”, as he was fond of saying, as the various iterations of new technology required willing guinea pigs to help iron out bugs in the system. Not that he saw himself in those terms, preferring instead to say that he led a hardy band of “Morgan Irregulars” into battle.
This was one of many military allusions for which Morgan had a fondness. These included “going over the top” (when moving into uncharted editorial territory); “OK, Back to Barracks” (when something went wrong); and “friendly fire” (when someone inadvertently messed things up).
These cheerful aphorisms helped to lighten the load around the subs desk, but they also drew in others from various editorial departments, who appreciated his relaxed and funny manner. This extended to giving ad hoc financial advice to colleagues, particularly at the time of early company offers in the 1980s to buy Telegraph shares. (“Fill yer boots, it’s a recovery stock!”)
Morgan was known throughout the paper for his bonhomie, professionalism and integrity. In particular, he maintained good relations with the production side – the “comps” – and these friendships proved invaluable at times. He was the last link in the chain from the old hot metal days to the new computer environment.
Albert John Morgan was born on April 12 1931 in Islington, north London, to Albert Joseph Morgan, a lorry driver, and Elizabeth, née Miller. His sister Margaret was born a few years later; she predeceased him.
Bert was educated at St Paul’s School in Balls Pond Road. At the time it was an infants, junior and senior school, and Bert left at 14 in 1945.
He recalled how his mother took him to the Evening Standard offices barely a week after the war had ended. He was offered a job as a copy boy on 25 shillings a week, with the warning from the personnel director ringing in his ears: “I tell you son, don’t reckon on a high-flying career in Fleet Street.”
In 1949 he was called up for National Service in the Army and spent an enjoyable two years in Klagenfurt, Austria, where he would return many times on holiday. Morgan joined The Daily Telegraph in 1971, making his way up to chief sub, a job he held with distinction for 25 years.
Outside work, he and his wife Betty, a publican’s daughter from Hoxton whom he first met when they were both 16, were avid hill walkers, covering many of the great rambles in the South East. They were also keen on cruises, with Morgan delighting in winning the competitions on board – usually including a daily challenge to guess the number of miles sailed.
Charles Moore (Lord Moore of Etchingham), who edited the Telegraph during part of Morgan’s time, said: “Bert was a lovely man and a proud servant of the paper. I was always so pleased to see him.”
Bert Morgan married, in 1953, Betty White, who survives him with their two daughters.
Bert Morgan, born April 12 1931, died October 18 2024