A former editor who launched his own media company after his post was axed last autumn has landed a new PR role on his old patch.

Matt Reeder, pictured, edited the Harrogate Advertiser and was head of audience for National World’s other North Yorkshire Weeklies before losing his role in a restructure last year.

He subsequently set up his own business providing editorial services to, among others, HoldtheFrontPage.

But he has now landed a new full-time role as PR director of Harrogate-based marketing and comms agency Big Bamboo, with whom he has been working on a consultancy basis since November.

Said Matt: “I am both thrilled and excited to be joining the Big Bamboo Agency on a permanent basis, having thoroughly enjoyed my time working for them on a consultancy basis.

“Having already experienced first-hand how extremely talented and dedicated the team of marketing experts are at Big Bamboo, the opportunity to join them was simply too good to turn down.”

Nicola Stamford, the company’s owner and founding director, added: “Matt is a welcome addition to the team, having already demonstrated his PR capability to us since November last year.

“I have no doubt he will be an asset to us and our clients.”

Matt started his career as the Northavon Gazette in 1993 before spells at the Derby Evening Telegraph and Swindon Advertiser.

After switching from news to sport, he moved to Yorkshire, firstly with the Evening Post and then The Yorkshire Post, winning the prestigious NCTJ Sports Journalist of the Year award for his coverage of Leeds United.

He then took on the role of Yorkshire Post sports editor for ten years before switching to become the title’s head of digital.

He joined the Harrogate Advertiser as deputy editor in 2017, taking over as editor in 2021.