An experienced business journalist has bounced back from pre-Christmas redundancy by landing a new PR role.

Dave Laister was among a group of five specialist regional business editors who left Reach plc after it announced the shedding of 450 jobs in November.

Now Dave, who previously covered business for the Hull Daily Mail, Grimsby Telegraph, Scunthorpe Telegraph and Business Live, has joined creative communications consultancy Fred in the newly-created role of PR and Media Director.

Founded by managing director Emma Pearson-Kendall in 2009, the Hull-based strategic marketing firm counts Humberside Police and the NHS among its client base.

Dave, pictured, joined his hometown paper the Grimsby Telegraph at the age of 18 and went on to become news editor before switching to the business desk in 2006.

He said: “Fred’s consultative approach, strong design foundations and impactful campaigns appealed immediately, and I’m thrilled to join a very talented team.

“Ensuring a business stands out, and stands proud, is paramount, and key to this is telling the truly great tales that sit behind so many of those that I’ve been delighted to champion for nearly two decades.

“Recent changes to the media landscape only serve to highlight the importance of organisations ensuring they can do this for themselves, and this is exactly where Fred can help, be it offering creative insight at board level or supporting existing leaders in delivery.”

Added Emma: “Fred meeting Dave enables us to further develop our support for clients at a senior level.

“Having worked in the media for more than 20 years, during a period of massive change, Dave has an excellent insight into what publications and editors want, if they are to cover a story, and he will be able to share this insight with our clients to ensure they get the coverage and profile they need.

“Dave will also be working alongside the team to further develop the media training and skills development work we deliver to ensure clients are ready to promote positive stories but are equally equipped to deal with a crisis.

“We’re very proud that Fred has continued to thrive and grow across 15 years of operations, working with some exceptional companies and the characters behind them, and the whole team look forward to embarking on the next chapter of Fred’s story.”