Editor, audience builder & mentor.
Luke is an experienced editor with over a decade of experience in news and content. He has led newsbrands from start-up size to national, and teams from small to large.
One of Luke’s passions is helping to provide guidance and opportunities to new voices in journalism – especially those from less traditional backgrounds – and he channels this through lecturing, advising and mentoring at multiple universities in the North West.
He has led projects across a variety of different aims, from those that focus on audience-at-scale to those that believe journalism is worth paying for.
Alongside this, he has worked with businesses in the hospitality trade to boost their profile, manage crisis situations and build loyal customers.
“Luke has been paramount in the success of navigating our business through a hard transitional time..”
Rebecca Rowlands, Meat and Drink Group
Luke’s experience includes:
- Building new media brands to significant scale from a standing start.
- Recruitment frameworks to bring through the industry’s brightest talent and help develop their skills.
- Lecturing for students from undergraduate to postgraduate level, from standalone sessions to module leading, on topics ranging from newsletter distribution to data journalism.
- Working on significant branding projects for high profile hospitality businesses.
- Identifying opportunities for growth using analytics and insights.
- achieving record growth at the Birmingham Mail and Bristol Post, before launching LancsLive.
When LancsLive launched in 2019, it did so with a team of four staff and a fledgling audience. By the time Luke decided to take on a new challenge in 2023, it had 27 members of staff and was one of the top 10 regional media brands in the UK.
He has channeled his love for hospitality to work with businesses like PLAU, the New Continental and the Michelin Guide restaurant Aven.
He passes on his lessons new and old from the journalism industry lecturing at universities across the North West, including at UCLan, Salford University, University of Greater Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.
As co-editor of Blog Preston, he has led the brand’s accountability journalism, seeking to make a positive difference in the community. This has helped save businesses from unfair practices and put a roof over people’s heads.
Things people say about working with Luke
Luke’s lecturing has been invaluable to our students. With his expertise in audiences and a passion for journalism as a vocation, he has been able to inform students in an engaging and enthusiastic manner on not only the broader journalistic skills, but the more specific and advanced elements that they will be expected to understand in industry.
He is very involved with the students, giving feedback and speaking on a personal level to gain an understanding of their individual needs and gives tailored feedback to help them each when they go into their chosen field.
Rachel Howarth, Salford University
Luke has a proven track record in growing and improving websites, underpinned by a deep understanding of brand identity and what it takes to expand an online audience.
A natural-born leader, he is known for going the extra mile in the effort he puts into his work. He demonstrates a vibrant passion for a wide variety of topics, which ensures he truly connects with, and shares, audience interests.
Joseph Wilkes, Mirror US
Luke has been paramount in the success of navigating our business through a hard transitional time. His knowledge and respectful approach has helped our customers understand the way our business is changing and developing.
He has been motivational in his positive approach and we really enjoy working with him. We would really recommend Luke.
Rebecca Rowlands, Meat and Drink Group
Alma 