An editorial chief has left a regional publisher for a new national news role after admitting he was saddened by a series of website closures.

Mike Taylor has announced his departure from Reach plc for a senior position with The Independent.

Mike, pictured, had held senior reporter and editor positions with Dorset Live and Wiltshire Live after rejoining the company from a spell with  the Dorset Echo in 2021.

However the two sites were axed by Reach as part of the cutbacks announced shortly before Christmas 2023.

Mike subsequently workes as a reporter for the Bristol Post, Gloucestershire Live and Somerset Live.

Since July 2024, he had beeen the Reach’s SEO TV content editor working across both its national and regional titles.

In a LinkedIn post, Mike wrote:  “This marks the end of my second stint at Reach, which spanned three years and three months.

“I rejoined the business as a reporter for Dorset Live and Wiltshire Live as I was inspired by their goal of covering every county in UK and building a new audience with a different approach to journalism.

“Here I achieved my senior journalism qualification and adapted to being a trusted reporter and editor. I was sad about the sites’ closures as I felt our brands punched above their weight and were excellent.

“Nevertheless, I worked as a regional senior reporter for a year covering my home county of Gloucestershire, old patch of Somerset and learning more about Bristol.

“I worked with some great reporters and editors who worked so hard in a challenging news climate. They don’t get the kudos they deserve, but they are great people.

“I’m excited to say I will be joining The Independent as an editor. Working for a national news outlet has always been a dream of mine and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.”