A NEW digital team has been hired to focus on Newsquest’s Hampshire weekly titles – the Hampshire Chronicle, Romsey Advertiser, Basingstoke Gazette and Andover Advertiser - and the Salisbury Journal.

Megan Stanley has been appointed as Digital Audience Content Editor, working across the group, which also includes the print-only titles the Forest Journal and Hampshire Chronicle Lite.

Megan, who has a master’s in journalism from Cardiff University, has until recently been working as a Local Democracy Reporter in London.  

Before that, she worked for more than two years at Hampshire Live, where she passed her senior qualifications.

Megan, who lives in Basingstoke, said: "I'm delighted to be returning to the Hampshire patch and start working with the teams in Winchester, Basingstoke and Salisbury. This role is a step up in my career and I'm excited to be able to play a crucial role in sharing the hard work of my new colleagues." 

Working alongside Megan is new digital reporter Matt Rooks-Taylor.  

Matt has recently graduated from a journalism degree course at the University of Winchester.

He grew up and currently lives in Basingstoke.

He said: “I'm very happy to be a part of this new team moving forwards. As this is my first full-time journalism role I'm really excited to get stuck in and make the most of my time working with such a talented team." 

READ MORE: Salisbury Journal opens new offices on Milford Street

Andover Advertiser:

The pair will split their time between the three centres that the titles operate from – Winchester, Basingstoke and the newly-opened offices in Salisbury.

They will work with the existing team of news reporters and three deputy/news editors – Andrew Napier, Sophie Day and Ben Paessler, who joined Salisbury Journal in October.  

The new team has been created by regional editor Kimberley Barber, who took over the group as editor in December 2021 and added the Salisbury Journal to her portfolio in September last year.  

Kimberley hopes to refine the already-improved digital performance from these titles, with an increased focus on driving audience through social media and new technologies.

She said: “We finally have a great team in place, and the addition of Megan and Matt will really help boost the great work our reporters are doing in their communities.

"Readers can expect to see some leaps forward for all these weekly titles and their websites and associated social media accounts this year. If anyone has any suggestions, then please get in touch with us.”