An award-winning former regional daily editor has launched his own public relations and content consultancy.

James Higgins, left, has announced the launch of 32West following his departure from the CN Group and Barrow-in-Furness-based daily The Mail in April.

Based in Ulverston, Cumbria, 32West offers services in the areas of PR, content marketing, media training and digital strategy.

James, 39, has already landed clients including a law firm within his first four weeks of trading.

He said: “Upon leaving CN Group I reached a crossroads in career terms and had some serious decisions to make about my future in both a professional and personal capacity.

“Establishing my own business in Cumbria was ultimately an easy decision. Nowhere in the UK is there such beauty on the doorstep, coupled with an extraordinarily varied mix of forward-thinking businesses at the cutting edge of their respective fields.

“As 32West develops and grows, it will be my pleasure to help these businesses tell their story in an engaging and reader-friendly way.”

James moved to Cumbria eight years ago, having worked at regional news brands across the North-West of England beforehand.

He held the position of group editor at the CN Group when he was made redundant, following the takeover of the publisher by Newsquest.

James added: “For so many years I have been on the receiving end of content from PR companies, some of it good, some of it seriously below par. I know what works and what does not.

“Telling stories and engaging an audience no matter what the platform is where my skills lie and through my two decades of industry experience across print, digital and social media channels, I feel confident I can deliver for the county’s businesses, whether they are big, small, established or just starting out.”