The launch editor of a city news website is leaving his role after two years for a new posting on a national title.

Alex Ross, left, launched Bristol World for publisher National World in October 2021, having previously been content editor of rival Reach title Bristol Live.

Now Alex is moving on after landing a job as a senior reporter on online-only national title The Independent, although he will continue to be based in the South West.

Although he is the latest in a number of senior editoprial figures to leave National World, his departure is unrelated to its ongoing redundancy programme and the publisher is now advertising for a replacement.

Said Alex: “Getting the opportunity to launch a news website in my home city was a dream come true and I’m so proud of what my team has achieved in just under two years.

“We’ve run week-long campaigns on key topics like student suicides and bike thefts while also leading on many major stories; local and national.

“Most importantly for me, we’ve created a website for all of Bristol by shining a light on many underrepresented areas in our city.

“I hope to leave a strong platform for the website to continue its growth – and I’ll be following it closely from the sidelines.

“For me, it’s time for a new challenge. I leave with sadness but also excitement as I embark on the next chapter of my career.

“I’d like to thank my team members, past and present, as well as all those around me at National World who have supported me. I’d also like to thank all those I’ve engaged with from across the city for their trust and generosity.”

Alex began his career as a trainee reporter on the Gloucestershire Gazette in 2005, before moving to the Weston Mercury three years later.

He spent a year with the Northamptonshire Telegraph between 2011 and 2012 and then joined the Midland News Association, where he held roles including news editor, group chief reporter and investigations editor.

Alex then became chief reporter at the Western Daily Press in 2019 before taking up the content editor role with its Bristol Live sister site early in 2020.

In October 2020 he moved to PA’s RADAR local data unit team before joining Bristol World a year later.