Reach last week announced the appointment of its new executive editor for the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). The company says it employs more than 80 Local Democracy Reporters following the recent awarding of new contracts for 2025, and is one of the biggest suppliers of content for the BBC-funded LDRS.
Rob Parsons, formerly Northern Agenda editor at Reach, has been appointed to the role. Rob has developed and led the Northern Agenda political newsletter and podcast over the last four years, having moved to the company from the Yorkshire Post where he was political editor. His appointment replaces Yakub Qureshi, who left his position as democracy editor at Reach in the summer.
Rob said: "It's been a huge thrill to be Northern Agenda Editor for the last four years and help establish the newsletter as a strong voice for the North of England.
"But I'm really excited about this new role promoting the work of the dozens of Local Democracy Reporters at Reach Plc as they hold local authorities to account around the country.
"I know from my time at The Northern Agenda how vital their journalism is and I want to help make sure the LDRS scheme continues to thrive in the years to come. I can't wait to get started."
Helen Dalby, Reach's audience and content director overseeing the LDRS contracts at the company, welcomed Rob to the new role, saying: "Rob brings with him a passionate belief in the quality and importance of our LDRs' journalism and almost a decade of experience in editorial leadership. I'm delighted to announce his appointment and looking forward to working with Rob on ensuring our LDRs have the right support and championing the vital work they do."
The Northern Agenda editorship will be taken over by Graeme Whitfield, Reach's editor of the Newcastle Journal. Graeme has more than twenty years of experience in journalism and has previously served as Reach's head of business for the North East before becoming Journal editor in 2022. He has worked closely with Rob on the Northern Agenda brand in recent years, co-hosting the first Northern Agenda Live conference at Reach's Newcastle office and regularly appearing on the podcast.
Graeme said "I've been involved in Northern Agenda since it was first established and it's been great to see Rob make it such an essential read every day. Following him will be a daunting task but I'm very much looking forward to it.
"I've spent all of my working life as a journalist in the North and I know that this is a region with a firm sense of its values, the challenges it faces but also what it could become with the right support. I want The Northern Agenda to be part of the conversations that will make the North better and stronger."
Keep up-to-date with publishing news: sign up here for InPubWeekly, our free weekly e-newsletter.
