Our Founders

Richard Coulter, Editorial Director

I am an experienced journalist with nearly 30 years in the industry, mainly in the regional press where I was previously assistant editor of the Bristol Post.

After leaving the Post in 2011, I set up Filtonvoice, the first of the ‘Voice’ news magazines and, along with Emma, formed Local Voice Network.

I commented on the rise of hyperlocal publishing and contributed to “What do we mean by Local”, a book charting the challenges faced by local news organisations, and I have also lectured on hyperlocal journalism.

I was educated at University of Glasgow and Iowa State University, and took my journalism postgraduate qualification at Cardiff University’s journalism school, with which I retain links.

Emma Cooper, Commercial Director

So how did I get into this business? At the age of 18 I found a recruitment advertisement in my local free newspaper looking for a features telesales person.

After being the successful applicant I soon realised within a few weeks this was the career for me.

Throughout my 20-year sales career progressed to Head of Advertising and worked as part of the senior management team at Northcliffe Media (The Bristol Evening Post), contributing to the running of this evolving and fast paced sales environment and responsible for numerous daily, weekly, monthly newspapers, not to mention the websites.

My husband and I run four local newspapers in Bristol, employing local people and working in partnership with freelancers and businesses alike.