Manchester basked in beautiful sunshine on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, setting the perfect backdrop for an inspiring day at ReachFWD MCR.

Hosted at The Plant Room at Freight Island, this exclusive event brought together over 130 guests alongside Reach’s Editorial, Commercial, and Leadership teams to celebrate industry achievements, foster connections, and showcase our latest innovations.

A Celebration of Talent, Success & Community

Building on the momentum of our 2024 London event, ReachFWD Manchester was designed to reinforce our market leadership, challenge outdated perceptions, and highlight the powerful role of our news brands in shaping the national conversation. More than just an industry gathering, the event served as a moment to reflect, connect, and celebrate the incredible work of our partners, contributors, and colleagues.

Throughout the day, guests engaged in interactive sessions, expert panels, and insightful discussions – each reinforcing Reach’s commitment to innovation and meaningful audience connections, Where People Live.

Session Highlights

• • Doing Things Differently
    Sarah Lester, Editor of the Manchester Evening News, led a dynamic panel featuring Jenna Thompson (What’s On Editor, MEN), author Andy Spinoza, DJ Mag Top 100 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, DJ Paulette and Oli Wilson (Founder, Beyond The Music) Together, they explored Manchester’s unique cultural identity, its role in national storytelling, and how brands can tap into this vibrant community.
  • The Division Bell On Tour
    A live edition of The Division Bell Podcast brought sharp political analysis to the stage, hosted by actor and writer Rosie Holt. She was joined by Sam Lister (Associate Editor, The Express) and Chris Bucktin (Assistant Editor, The Mirror) to dissect global politics and its impact on the UK media landscape, offering invaluable insights for brands navigating an ever-changing world, with a few opinions shared on US President Trump.
  • All Out Football Panel
    Football was front and centre in this passionate discussion hosted by Jon Livesey (Content Hub Director, Reach). Joined by top football journalists including Samuel Luckhurst (Chief Manchester United Writer, Manchester Evening News), Simon Mullock (Chief Football Writer, Mirror), Amie Wilson (Sport Central Audience Writer), Andy Dunn (Chief Sports Writer, Mirror) and Darren Lewis, Assistant Editor ,Mirror, Sports Writer and Columnist). The panel tackled pressing issues in the sport – from club ownership, fan culture to the tactical evolution of the modern game and what it takes to get banned from press conferences at Premier League clubs.

ReachFWD MCR was more than just an event – it’s a commitment to driving forward together with our partners. As Reach continues to evolve, our digital innovation, audience insights, and content excellence remain at the heart of what we do.

Reflecting on the event, Nigel Black, Head of Marketing at Reach, shared:

“ReachFWD Manchester was a fantastic opportunity to bring our partners closer to the communities that shape the nation. Under our Where People Live brand ethos, we showcased the power of our editorial content—telling the stories that matter, driving real impact, and connecting brands to audiences in meaningful ways. From hard-hitting journalism to cultural moments that resonate locally and nationally, our content is at the heart of the conversation. We’re proud to demonstrate how Reach continues to innovate and engage at scale.”

James O’Reilly, Group Account Director at Reach, said:

“ReachFWD Manchester was a real proud moment, the incredible engagement from our partners shaped what was a phenomenal event. Our Editors captured the richness of our community relationships and the role we play in an ever-evolving British landscape – ReachFWD encapsulated the best of what we do and a rich view of what is to come.”

As the sun set on a day of collaboration, insight, and celebration, it was clear that ReachFWD Manchester had achieved its mission – showcasing our expertise, strengthening client relationships, and reinforcing our position as a leading digital media innovator.

We believe that great things happen when like-minded individuals come together, and your partnership is something we deeply value.

Here’s to continuing the momentum and driving forward, together.