Our People

Karl Hancock

Chief Executive Officer

Karl Hancock is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder. Karl has spent 26 years working in the City before recently moving into the local news industry. Karl has worked for Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and latterly Berenberg Bank. Karl is passionate about local news and his favourite football team is Crewe Alexandra.

We want to re-invent local news, engage with communities and use our technology to change the current business model. We have ambitious plans for local news in the UK. We are currently fully live in 67 towns and our target is to be in 700 towns in the next couple of years. If you are passionate about local news and are looking for a new and fun challenge in your life, please get in touch as we are recruiting journalists.

You can contact Karl directly by emailing him at [email protected].

James Smith

Managing Director

A Durham University history graduate, James first came to Nub News in 2020 to launch the Kenilworth Nub News title. Following its initial success, he then helped start a second South Warwickshire website in neighbouring Warwick, before being made the company’s Head of Content in June 2022. Then in late 2023 he took on the new role of Managing Director, taking full oversight of Nub News’ editorial set up. His goal for Nub News is to launch more websites and to bring hyperlocal news back to as many communities as possible. Outside the world of news James is a keen football fan, and also spends a lot of his spare time cycling and brewing beer - also holding a professional qualification as a brewer!

Neil Speight

Regional Editor (Essex)

Neil Speight is a veteran journalist who has edited newspapers across the country, from Scarborough, Wakefield and the Manchester area in the north, to south Essex in the south and several town in the Midlands and East Midlands as well. Through more than 40 years in the newspaper industry, he has consistently won regional and national newspaper awards recognition for his investigative work and for his leadership of news teams. A strong advocate of young people, he has worked closely throughout his career with the NCTJ, being a member of the North Training Committee for many years, an invigilator and mentor in examination schemes and he has worked closely with company training schemes, most notably the Emap and Johnston Press training schools. Many journalists across the country owe their careers to a start in newspapers with Neil. He is particularly proud of his record of investigative Journalism and holding public bodies to account, having broken major news stories and launched campaigns on a number of important local issues.

Ryan Parker

Cheshire Head of Content

With a passion for local news since the age of 14, Ryan graduated the University of Chester with a first class journalism honours degree in 2021. Ryan soon landed the role as Nub News chief reporter for his hometown of Crewe and hasn't looked back, taking the site from strength to strength. Along with big local news stories, he has so far interviewed the likes of Andy Burnham, Christina Trevanion, Peter Waterman OBE and The Hoosiers. Now he is responsible for heading up Nub News’ strong team of Cheshire journalists.

I love journalism and after running my own Facebook site for several years, Nub News gave me a professional platform to show what I can do.

Alasdair Perry

Editor Stockport Nub News

Alasdair is a history graduate from the University of York. After leaving York in 2022, he spent time in London, writing odds and ends for various publications and playing drums in a ‘full time band’ (if such things exist!). He joined Nub News not long after returning to his hometown of Manchester. In the process of building an audience in Stockport, Alasdair has met with politicians, artists, sportspeople, carpenters, businesspeople, theatre companies, and many more. There have also been a few famous faces along the way, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey. When he’s not writing news, you can find Alasdair playing music, drawing, or writing other bits and bobs.

Journalism has lots of the research and writing which you enjoy in academia, but it also forces you to get out a lot more.

Sarah Garner

Editor Stoke Nub News

Sarah graduated from Durham University in 2021 with a degree in English Studies and Education. While studying, she was part of a small student newspaper, Cygnet, and ran the ‘Wellness’ section for two years. After university, Sarah gained a place on a fast-track course at News Associates in Manchester and graduated with a gold-standard NCTJ. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys walks in the local countryside with her dog, reading and going to the gym. Stoke born and bred, Sarah has enjoyed bringing hyperlocal news back to her home town.

Deborah Bowyer

Editor Alsager and Sandbach Nub News

Renowned for her love of news, Deborah has been a journalist all her working life, apart from a gap for children, starting out in her 20s. Looking for a way to break back into the news arena, she was delighted when the job to edit her town's local news site came up and grabbed the chance! A little later, she was offered the chance to edit nearby Alsager and now looks after both Nub News' Sandbach and Alsager sites. Deborah has worked all over the country on evening and weekly newspapers as well as two stints in public relations and press officer work. A love of people and writing colourful, accurate stories helping the communities she serves are top of her list.

Cesar Medina

Editor Ealing and Brentford Nub News

Hello, I'm Cesar the current Regional Editor for Brentford & Ealing Nub News. My journey in journalism began with my BJTC accredited BA Journalism degree from Coventry University, where I honed my skills for three years. Before joining Nub News in September 2023, I delved into freelance opportunities with local platforms like the Coventry Telegraph, DubSports and podcast companies. Beyond the newsroom, I love attending concerts, playing football on Saturday, and immersing myself in a good film. At Nub News, I'm committed to delivering accurate and engaging news coverage to the communities of Brentford & Ealing, ensuring they stay informed about the stories that truly matter. It's a privilege to be part of a team dedicated to serving our local communities with integrity and passion.

Evie Payne

Editor Oakham Nub News

Evie has been working for Nub News since 2021, and in that time has had the pleasure of covering a range of local stories, national events and much more. Prior to this, she worked in the creative and publishing industry, having always aspired to write for work upon completing her degree in English Literature and then Masters in Creative and Critical Writing at The University of Winchester. She has since completed her PhD in English literature at The University of Sheffield alongside working for Nub News. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, performing in amateur musical theatre and reading.

Ollie Monk

Editor Kingston and Teddington Nub News

Having completed his Masters in Photojournalism at the University of the Arts London in 2023, Oliver found himself back in his hometown of Kingston upon Thames as the editor for Nub News' Kingston and Teddington sites. Before Nub News, Oliver worked as an investigative photojournalist, creating long-form photo stories ranging from conspiracy theorist communities to Thames Water sewage dumping. He also worked freelance as a photographer for a number of years. Oliver has spoken on the importance of local photojournalism at the Photojournalism Hub in London and continues to mentor postgraduate photojournalists at the London College of Communication.

Graham Hill

Regional Editor (Leicestershire)

Graham has been working in journalism for 36 years and is a hugely experienced writer - having worked on weekly newspapers and national titles. He grew up in North West Leicestershire and returned to the area five years ago to live in Ashby de la Zouch. Having attended school in the area, and with family and friends here, he knows the region inside out and the issues that concern the people who live in this part of the East Midlands. From Coalville to Ashby to Swadlincote, Graham and his team will be keeping you informed about the day-to-day matters and talking to the people making things happen in North West Leicestershire.

I joined the company because Nub News goes straight to the heart of the community and reports back.

Alexander Greensmith

Regional Editor (Cheshire)

Nottingham Trent University alumni Alexander Greensmith spent his first year writing stories for tabloid newspapers, gaining a thrill from published articles. Prior to this, he worked for a year-and-a-half as a journalist for a family-oriented radio station with similar values to Nub News. He covers Macclesfield Nub News in Cheshire, and in 2021 will launch Nub News in Wilmslow. The First Class Honours Broadcast Journalist graduate is excited with the future of Nub News.

In the 21st century, journalists have to do it all. And Nub News gives you the opportunity to do it all, with the freedom of effectively being your own boss. Since joining in April 2021, I have built Macclesfield Nub News to a point where the stories come to me, as much as I come to the stories! Having my ear to the ground for a hyperlocal platform also allows me to easily see what positive impacts my writing is having, something which matters to me as I believe journalism is a force for good.

Laura Linham

Regional Editor (Somerset)

Laura Linham brings over 15 years of journalistic experience to her role, covering an impressive range from local to national press.
Her journey began at a local paper, setting the stage for a career that would see her work featured in magazines, national newspapers, and on platforms like OneSub. Laura also co-authored "So, You Say I Can't Vote!: Frances Connelly: The working-class woman's route to the vote," and has ghostwritten two other books.
In November 2022, she joined Nub News as a regional editor, focusing on Glastonbury and Street, Shepton Mallet, and Wells, where she continues to apply her extensive experience and keen insights into enriching local journalism.