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South Wales journalist quits after 38 years to set up PR firm

South Wales Echo political and business editor Phillip Nifield has left the paper after 38 years to set up his own public relations and media consultancy business.

Stories covered by Phillip during his career at the Cardiff-based paper include the miners’ strike, numerous Parliamentary and local elections and in recent years he had overall responsibility for the coverage of the National Assembly of Wales, Cardiff council and business. He also campaigned over the issue of high councillors’ allowances and for pensions justice for former steelworkers in the city.

Phillip received numerous letters of thanks and good wishes from politicians of all parties, as well as business leaders, after it became public knowledge that he was leaving the paper.

Phillip, who is one of south Wales’s most respected newspaper journalists, said: “Media Wales is undergoing a huge transformation in the way news is delivered and I thought it was an appropriate time for me to move onto a new, exciting challenge.

“I will continue to work full time offering public relations, media consultancy and writing services to businesses, public bodies, organisations and individuals across south Wales.

“I have loved my time at the Echo. It plays a vital role in the community. I will miss the day to day contact with my friends on the Echo, Western Mail, Wales on Sunday and Celtic newspapers. They will still see me around but in a different role.”

Phillip received a framed and signed Cardiff City shirt from colleagues and the club’s skipper Darren Purse came into the Echo’s office to make the presentation. He was also given a special mocked-up version of the Echo.