SWNS 50th Anniversary

A host of industry leaders turned out to toast the 50th anniversary of news agency SWNS.

The company was founded in Bristol in the mid-1970s and has since gone on to become a nationwide operation with offices in several UK cities and the US.

It has also diversified into several other market sectors with a PR company, a market research business, a design agency, and a commercial photography and video assignment agency.

Six serving and former national newspaper editors were among the 100 guests who gathered at a bar in the shadow St Brides Church in Fleet Street.

Among the attendees were Tony Gallagher, editor of The Times, and Chris Evans, editor of The Telegraph, who both trained at the agency.

They gave speeches describing their fond memories of the business and its continuing importance to the UK news ecosystem.

Mr Gallagher described his time at SWNS (then known as South West News Service) between 1988 and 1989 as a “very happy period of my life”.

“The public don’t really know that they (SWNS) are now a mainstay for national newspapers with the vast variety of stories that they produce from all over Britain,” he said.

“And if it wasn’t for South West News, I think every newspaper would have large gaps in its pages every day. Which is a great tribute to you guys.

“I think it is the most brilliant crucible for young journalists. It was in the past, it is today.

“At The Times, we still send trainees down to Bristol to knock them into shape. And it is South West News that does all of that.

“The people that work with them, and adore them, know that really only the best people can survive and thrive at South West News.

“It’s a huge tribute to them that after so many years, it’s still prospering. And I hope will prosper into the future as well.”

Telegraph editor Chris Evans was given his first job in journalism at the agency in the summer of 1992 and recalled working on major stories such as Charles and Camilla’s romance and the Fred and Rose West murders.

“They were great days”, he said. “On behalf of all of us, thank you very much from myself and the many other reporters.”

Dave Wooding from the Sunday Express was the other serving newspaper editor in attendance, along with former Sunday Telegraph editor Ian MacGregor, ex-Sun editor Stuart Higgins, and Tina Weaver of the Sunday Mirror.

Among the digital leaders at the event were Nick Petche, Editor in Chief at Yahoo, Paul Ashton, Global Head of Pictures at DMG Media, Alex Wellman, US editor at Reach, and Jon Livesey, Content Hub Editor at Reach.

Ian MacGregor, now Editor Emeritus at Telegraph Media Group, said: “I learnt so much at SWNS at the beginning of my career and it is great to see the organisation thriving all these years later.

“We now send Telegraph trainees to work with them for several months – which is always invaluable. SWNS is a great team.”

Tina Weaver, who edited the Sunday Mirror for 11 years between 2001 and 2012, said: “The affection and admiration for SWNS runs deep.

“It isn’t just the journalism – it was the hunger to win and the business-savvy approach that led me to being a chief reporter on a national aged 23, just a year after leaving – and serves me well still today.

“It taught me never to work in a pack and to win – perhaps one of the reasons you churn out so many editors. May SWNS continue to thrive.”

The business is still privately owned by Paul Walters, Andrew Young and Managing Director Martin Winter.

Its agency business has grown through the acquisition of several regional agencies, including Newsteam in Birmingham, Ross Parry in Leeds, Masons in Cambridge and National News in London.

The wider SWNS Media Group also includes PR business 72Point, market research panel OnePoll, creative design studio Oath, and commercial imagery business PinPep, which was acquired last year.

Paul Walters, who was a photographer at SWNS before becoming co-owner, said: “Andrew and I have been custodians of the business for around 35 years, and are proud to have home-grown some of the UK’s finest journalists.

“We thought it was time to celebrate and gather as many of the SWNS family as the next generation begins to pick up the reins.

“Throughout our history, we have invested in talent, recruited the best people in journalism, and constantly improved the ‘SWNS way’ with service, innovation and quality.

“SWNS intends to continue developing and delivering editorial services, building on the years of trusted journalism for another 50 years.”

Andrew Young, SWNS Editor-in-Chief, said: “I was totally overwhelmed by the sheer number of talented journalists, and close friends, who came out to share our celebrations. I can’t thank you enough.

“I was a failed brewer, who joined South West News as a teaboy on £50 a week in the early 80s.

“It is where Paul Walters and I reconnected after growing up together in Belfast during the Troubles. What a team. What a lifelong friend.

“I will never be able to thank, the then-owners John Roulston, Dave Thomas and Colin Shepherd, enough for taking me in and, particularly Tommo, for taking me under his wing.

“As Paul said, we have enjoyed every moment of building the business up since becoming partners / directors 35 years ago. I am full of pride for all who went on to ‘bigger and better’ things. I think we all have made a fair fist of it and should be very proud of what we have achieved.

“Managing Director Martin Winter, who has helped us evolve and grow over the last 20 years, and his executive team, are now doing much of the heavy lifting. Here’s to the next 50.”

MD Mr Winter described the secret to the company’s longevity and the culture of innovation, which has kept it relevant through decades of disruption in the news industry.

He told the event: “At our core has always been a real passion for original journalism and – above all – a great story. And doing it properly. That still gives us such a buzz and I’d like to think we have instilled that in everyone who has come through our doors.

“So what does the next 50 years hold? I don’t think anyone can predict that. Our current strategy involves investment in the US, broadcast, viral video and social media publishing.

“Very different to the last five decades, but still with those same principles at our core.

“And I sincerely hope that our future involves you guys. British news brands run deep in our DNA and the people in this room are testament to that. I hope that continues for many years to come.”