Regional publisher National World has bought 10 new titles – including a 165-year-old weekly newspaper and its three sister publications.

National World has this morning confirmed the purchase of the Rotherham Advertiser and Insider Media in separate deals.

The acquisition of the Advertiser, which has been published since 1858, includes its free sister weeklies the Dearne Valley Weekender and the Rotherham Record, as well as bi-monthly lifestyle magazine Chase.

They will now be managed by National World’s Yorkshire business unit, which is also responsible for nearby titles including the Sheffield Star and Doncaster Free Press.

Insider publishes six magazines under the ‘Business Insider’ brand, covering the Midlands, North-East of England, North-West, South-East, South-West, Wales and Yorkshire.

Its sale to National World comes as a result of the forthcoming retirement of its managing director Marlen Roberts.

National World chairman David Montgomery said: “Over the last 12 months we have made a number of targeted investments and acquisitions designed to accelerate our progress, increase our capabilities and grow the audience for our high-quality content.

“National World offers a unique combination of digital news, specialist content and targeted audience engagement, helping it build deeper relationships with its readers and users. Today’s acquisitions are in line with that strategy as we reposition the business towards our new operating model.”

Insider launched in 2005 and also offers services including daily business newsletters and sector-specific emails. It runs business events across the country as well, with 93 organised for 2023.

It will now run as a new separate division of National World with Mike Hartley, formerly MD of Insider Media, leading the integration as interim MD supported by Vairi Smith on events, Claire Jackson on HR, Sheree Manning on finance and Mark Hollinshead as an executive director.

Said Marlen: “The current shareholders wanted to ensure that the company had a strong future and National World is a buyer that will continue to invest in high-quality content as well as the business infrastructure and the people.”

David has repeatedly revealed plans to expand the company’s portfolio since its takeover of JPIMedia at the start of 2021.