National newspapers have been urged to recruit more journalists from the regional press without forcing them to move to London as part of the deal.

The i’s Northern reporter Aasma Day has made the call after the Financial Times unveiled Manchester Evening News politics and investigations editor Jen Williams as its new Northern England correspondent.

Like Jen, Aasma made the switch from regional to national media – but only after previously turning down jobs because she was not prepared to move to London.

Aasma, pictured, was an investigative reporter and lifestyle editor at the Preston-based Lancashire Post and also led the Johnston Press investigations team before moving to become North of England correspondent at HuffPost in 2018.

She joined the i after leaving HuffPost amid a series of cuts last year.

Congratulating Jen on her move, Aasma posted on Twitter: “We need more journalists from the North hired by nationals without having to up sticks and move.”

Speaking to HTFP about the issue, she said: “Jennifer Williams is a brilliant journalist and it is really heartening to see nationals such as the FT take on such a talented journalist as Jen without making them uproot their lives and move to London.

“I myself have been very lucky that my bosses at the i and before that at HuffPost UK, saw the value and importance of breaking outside the London bubble and having different voices by having reporters based elsewhere in the country.

“I enjoy visiting London, but I love living up North and don’t want to move – and so many journalists feel the same.

“And there are so many stories and fascinating people all over the country as well as in London so it is important to enhance coverage by appealing to all readers.”

“In the past, too many journalists based in the North – including myself – only ever got approached with an offer of a job at a national with the words: ‘Would you be prepared to move to London …?’

“So it is lovely to see more and more nationals recognise hardworking and skilled journalists in different parts of the country and how you don’t need everyone to be based in an office in London.

“I am a strong believer in diversity in journalism in all its forms – and that includes geographical diversity.”