An editor has returned to a regional business news publisher to launch a new title.

TheBusinessDesk.com has announced it is to launch in the South-West of England in January, with the new title being headed up by former Western Daily Press and Bristol Post business editor Mike Ribbeck, pictured.

Mike, who is also a former chief reporter with the Lancashire Telegraph, is no stranger to TheBusinessDesk.com, having served as its North West editor from 2018 to 2020

TheBusinessDesk.com currently operates in Yorkshire, the North-West of England, the West Midlands and the East Midlands and boasts more than 300,000 unique visitors a month to its website.

Lee-J Walker, joint managing director at TheBusinessDesk.com, said: “We are coming out of the pandemic in confident mood and feel this is the right time to grow our footprint outside the North and Midlands.

“We are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the South West business community and share its successes, while working with companies across the region to help them develop new relationships and opportunities.”

Mike, who has also edited rival title South West Business Insider, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for both me and TheBusinessDesk.com.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the team in the past and believe we can achieve great things in the region.

“I know from personal experience how vibrant, creative and ambitious the business community is here in the South West.

“We are planning to reflect and report on that entrepreneurial spirit which continues to drive the region on to greater levels of success.”

The new title will launch on 9 January.