An editor is to step down from the website he founded four years ago after selling it to an independent publisher.

Black Ox has acquired Dorset Biz News Ltd for an undisclosed sum in a move that will see Andrew Diprose, the website’s founder and editor, step down from his role once a successor is found.

Andrew, a former Bournemouth Echo business editor, launched Dorset Biz News in 2019 to fill what he described as a “big yawning gap” for coverage of the sector in the county.

Black Ox, which is based in Camberley and publishes The Business Magazine, says it now hopes to expand the ‘Biz News’ brand across the UK.

From left: The Business Magazine managing editor Stephen Emerson, Black Ox CEO Richard Thompson, Dorset Biz News founder Andrew Diprose, Black Ox regional business manager for South Central and South Coast Alan Lindstrom, group finance director at Black Ox’s parent company Branscombe Group Lenka Drablow and Black Ox operations director Jo Whittle

Black Ox chief executive officer Richard Thompson said: “We are delighted to welcome DorsetBizNews.co.uk to the growing Black Ox stable of online and print publications.

“We love what Andrew has built at DorsetBizNews.co.uk, it is a positive and dynamic news site which has become a voice for Dorset business, celebrating the people and companies who drive business forward at the county level.

“We have some exciting plans for the Biz News brand and will expand its presence across the UK, always keeping it local, always as a voice for business at the county level and with a commitment to quality content.

“DorsetBizNews.co.uk perfectly complements our flagship title The Business Magazine, the champion of regional business for the last 30 years.”

The move comes after Black Ox last May acquired Gloucester-based NK Media, publishers of Business & Innovation Magazine, which enabled The Business Magazine’s traditional South-East of England reach to be extended into the South-West too.

Black Ox will now recruit a new editor for Poole-based Dorset Biz News over the coming months.

Andrew said: “DorsetBizNews.co.uk started with a zero audience and zero name recognition but with its fresh, upbeat and positive approach to business and keeping it local, the site has established a large and incredibly loyal following.

“It’s a very proud moment for my wife, son and I – all shareholders – to see an expanding media group of the calibre of Black Ox acquire our venture.

“Black Ox was our preferred acquirer, as we were excited by the plans they have to grow the Biz News brand as a local county news service over the coming months and years, particularly having seen the tremendous impact they have had on The Business Magazine since acquiring the title and their commitment to quality content.”