A local democracy reporter has left her role to “shout about” a regional authority instead.

Rhi Storer has announced her departure from the Birmingham Mail, where she covered both Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council under the BBC-funded scheme.

Rhi, pictured, has joined the West Midlands Combined Authority, where she will work as a media officer.

She had spent two years with the Mail in her LDR role, having begun her career on The Guardian in 2020.

Rhi was a runner-up in the George Makin Award at the Local Democracy Reporting Service awards for discovering racist tweets by a Conservative opposition leader. A resignation, leadership election, and coverage in the Private Eye also followed.

She was also a runner-up for best use of broadcast media in 2021 – three months after joining as a local democracy reporter.

Rhi said: “I had a great two years at Birmingham Live helping uncover scandal after scandal in local government for our readers. The reason I loved doing it day in and day out is because I wanted our readers to know what their local councillors are up to behind closed doors at their local authority.

“I felt it was important in my role to amplify the wealth of news and politics in the West Midlands to the attention of national newspapers and broadcasters, and I hope I did that justice in my small role.

“I’m sad to be leaving Birmingham Live – I am a journalist at heart – but I know my colleagues will continue to do an excellent job holding local authorities to account.

“I am delighted to be working with the West Midlands Combined Authority. In a way, both roles champion, and are passionate about, the West Midlands, and I can’t wait to get started in this new chapter.”

Steve Swingler, strategic communications manager at the West Midlands Combined Authority, added: “Our press team works in a fast-paced environment serving a high-profile mayor and an organisation that is being handed ever more powers and funding from central government.

“That’s why our team is prominently made up of former regional journalists who have a natural eye for a story and a close affinity to our region, its people and culture. Rhi fits that bill perfectly and I know she will be an asset to the WMCA press office.”