The Archbishop of Canterbury has described the passing of Premier’s CEO, Peter Kerridge, as a "huge loss to Christian witness in the UK".
Speaking with Premier Christian Radio, Justin Welby said: “I just want to say how really, really, really sorry I am to hear about Peter having died. It is a huge loss to Christian Broadcasting and more widely Christian testimony and witness in the UK.”
The Archbishop commended the legacy Peter has left through Premier, saying the company had established itself as "the premier Christian broadcaster; intelligent, wide ranging with a sharp edge when it needed to have it".
Welby went on to say Premier is a "genuine source of reporting on the issues of the day, from a clearly Christian perspective".
Peter joined Premier in 1996 at a time when it was facing financial difficulties
Under Peter's leadership, the company thrived and continued to expand into the multimedia organisation it is today.
"It's been a trailblazer in the UK," the Archbishop said of Premier. "That speaks to [Peter's] vision and his commitment to Christ and to the service of Christ’s Church.”
“We, as a Church have nothing to fear and everything to gain from responsible, challenging journalism. And he epitomized that.”