One of Gloucestershire’s best known and most respected business journalists, Andrew Merrell, will be taking on the pivotal role of business editor at SoGlos, with successful independent website The Raikes Journal being incorporated into SoGlos Business from Monday 4 January 2021.
The combination of Gloucestershire’s most respected business writer joining Gloucestershire’s leading media brand is set to strengthen and amplify independent journalism in the county – ultimately, offering an opportunity to support the local business community like never before.
Following on from the launch of SoGlos’s new Business section in September 2021, and the unveiling of the new SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards in November 2021, the new editorship from January 2021 combines to create the strongest new business platform in the county.
Andrew Merrell is a specialist business journalist with more than 25 years’ experience in print and online media, and an unrivalled knowledge among journalists in the county’s business community.
His career includes roles editing Gloucestershire business magazines Agenda, Business News and the regional South West Business magazine, and he was also business editor for The Citizen, Gloucestershire Echo, Stroud Life newspapers and websites This is Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Live.
Andrew more recently developed and launched his own Gloucestershire business news website, The Raikes Journal in April 2020, which quickly garnered a strong following and excellent reputation, catching the eye of SoGlos co-founder, Michelle Fyrne.
‘We began work on SoGlos’s new Business section just weeks before the launch of The Raikes Journal, so naturally followed the website’s growth closely, and were continually impressed with Andrew’s industry expertise, instinct for the county’s top stories and firm commitment to quality journalism.
‘As an independent media brand launched by Gloucestershire journalists almost 14 years ago, SoGlos was founded with a similar ethos and values to The Raikes Journal, and we thought there could be a great synergy between the two titles.’
‘We approached Andrew about our mission to continue reinventing regional media in an evolving, post-Covid world and were thrilled he shared the vision and will be joining the growing team at such an interesting time for the county.’
‘With Andrew’s unrivalled expertise, the momentum The Raikes Journal has built up and SoGlos’s established reach across online, social, email and events, we’re hitting 2021 with Gloucestershire’s leading business platform for both readers and advertisers.’
Speaking about the news Andrew Merrell added: ‘The last nine months have been an amazing journey as I launched a new concept in The Raikes Journal. And while I never anticipated the onset of a global pandemic while I was developing the model, I’ve been taken aback by the support shown by the Gloucestershire business community.
‘The site quickly established its position in the county and I was excited to see how it would continue to develop in 2021, however, when Michelle and James approached me I could immediately see how The Raikes Journal and SoGlos were a great fit together – particularly as they share my passion for celebrating Gloucestershire businesses and individuals.
‘I’m thrilled to be joining the team and driving SoGlos Business forward with The Raikes Journal being incorporated into the brand. It will amplify the business coverage reach to an unrivalled audience – and I’m excited to work as part of a full team of journalists, business development managers, designers and videographers too’.
Contact SoGlos Business editor Andrew Merrell at andrew@sopublishing.com.
