1284 has recruited a further Midlands news leader to its award-winning team.

Former newspaper Editor and journalism lecturer, Richard Bowyer, has joined the Loughborough-based corporate communications agency.

Richard will link up with chartered PR practitioners George Oliver and Amy Orton - also both experienced news professionals - at the business.

Former Editor Richard has more than 30 years’ experience in journalism.

After starting his career at the Coalville and Ashby Times, he went on to titles including the Peterborough Telegraph, Wolverhampton Express&Star, Derby Telegraph, and Lincolnshire Echo.

He was Editor-in-Chief for Staffordshire Sentinel Newspapers in Stoke-on-Trent before spending nine years as an educator on the journalism programme at the University of Derby.

Richard joins the 1284 team part-time as Content Editor and will support with print page design, editing, and B2B content for 1284’s small business and local authority clients.

He will work alongside George, who founded 1284 in 2020, and Account Director, Amy, who started in March after spending 15 years as a journalist for various East Midlands news titles and a spell as an NHS comms manager.

Former Leicester Mercury Editor, George, said: “Richard brings further experience and business knowledge to the benefit of 1284 clients.

“His arrival maintains our policy of recruiting highly experienced professionals, bringing significant understanding of the media and comms industries, as well as deep Midlands networks.”

Richard worked in most areas of the print news business, from reporter to specialist writer, news editor, designer, and deputy editor.

As Editor, he was at the forefront of digital transformation as the industry moved from print to online. He then spent nine years as a lecturer and programme leader at the University of Derby.

Richard helped set up new programmes, including the only football journalism degree course in the country, and the university’s Magazine Journalism course.

He said: “1284 is clearly a growing business and, when George offered me the chance to work with him and Amy, I knew it was a good opportunity.

“The company’s focus on innovation and East Midlands regional growth, alongside its purpose and philosophy on quality service delivery, fits with my own way of working.”

Earlier this year, 1284 won the Mark of Excellence at the CIPR’s UK-wide Excellence awards for its work on East Midlands small business innovation. It is shortlisted for Small PR Consultancy of the Year at this month’s Midlands PRide Awards.

Clients include the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and Rykneld Homes, which manages around 7,500 properties in north-east Derbyshire, as well as a number of innovative startups and SMEs in the region.