Scottish business coverage at Reach plc is under threat as the UK’s biggest regional publisher undergoes a fresh round of cuts.
Reach is axing 321 editorial roles and creating 135 new ones nationally, a net loss of 186, as part of its “biggest ever” newsroom shake-up, with an increased focus on video content and a new “Live News Network” incoming.
Among those leaving the business is a lynchpin of Scottish business journalism – Peter Walker, editor of Scottish Business Insider for the past five years.
His departure leaves uncertainty over the 41-year-old brand, which went online-only after ceasing print publication in 2022.
Walker, who has had a varied career ranging from serving as a senior reporter and deputy news editor at the FT to contributing to electronic music titles Mixmag and Resident Advisor, announced the news on LinkedIn:
“After five years running the Insider.co.uk website, in a week’s time I’m going to be made redundant, with no firm plan for the future of a 41 year-old brand,” he wrote. “It’s been genuinely fascinating learning about the various strands and sectors of Scottish business, meeting many interesting people and writing articles I’m really proud of.
“Now I’m back in the job market, so do let me know if you know of any similarly stimulating writing/editing gigs going…”
It is less than two years since the last major shake-up of business coverage across Reach saw five of its regional business editors leaving the business. Their departures in the 2023 pre-Christmas “restructure” left the BusinessLive network depleted across the board, with no dedicated reporting staff at all in some regions. The latest cuts look set to leave the West Midlands in the same position with Midlands business editor Tamlyn Jones also on the way out.
A Reach spokesperson said: “Business journalism remains an important part of our local news output. We’re continuing to evolve our business coverage, ensuring it reflects the needs of our audiences and the ways they increasingly choose to consume that type of news. Our focus is on delivering useful, relevant and engaging journalism that keeps pace with change.”
