Mentoring and coaching
News product mentoring
Mentoring and coaching for people in news product, from someone who has done the job: at The Times, Reuters and now The i Paper.
What's on offer
Ongoing mentoring
2 to 3 monthly spaces open from October 2026, best as a 3, 6 or 12 month commitment so we can set goals and work through them, with WhatsApp support between calls.
Leadership coaching
For people leading teams or change in news organisations. We focus on you as a leader: how you make decisions, bring people with you and handle the hard conversations.
One-off sessions
Pay what you can. A session is worth £250; students, early-career journalists and anyone who can't afford it are welcome to pay £1. Honestly.
Book a session It's often worth asking whether your employer will fund it.
Who it's for
Getting started
You're new to news product, or moving into it from editorial, and want to understand the paths open to you.
First time managing
You've stepped into your first management role and want a sounding board while you find your feet.
Leading change
You're responsible for cultural change or innovation, and the organisation isn't making it easy.
What we can work on
- Business, product and organisational strategy
- Structures and teams: how editorial, product and data work together
- Newsroom tooling
- Using reader data and insights in the newsroom
- Your next career move
How it works
- Book a time. When you book, you check out rather than just pick a slot. You'll see the fee with a "change amount" button: set what you can afford.
- We talk. Bring the problem you're stuck on. I'll ask a lot of questions and tell you what I think.
- Keep going, if it helps. For ongoing mentoring we agree goals, meet monthly and stay in touch in between.
What people say
Nick has a great way of turning seemingly unsolvable issues into practical, tangible actions to resolve the matter. He takes a keen interest in what makes you tick and provides a calm, reassuring sounding board for you to discuss and unpick things that are on your mind. His experience in the media industry means he knows the pitfalls and dynamics and can help navigate when waters get choppy. His inspiring and authentic manners mean that you feel at ease right away and get the most out of every session.
Read what I've learnt from mentoring in my first 18 months and after two years.
I'll always offer free or very low cost sessions of some kind. Those who can afford to pay, I trust your judgement as to how much that is. I mean every word of that.
With the News Product Alliance
I was a mentor on the first cohort of the News Product Alliance's Mentor Network in 2022 and 2023, and I'm now a coach with the NPA. If you're an NPA member, that's another way to work with me.
Questions
How much does it cost?
One-off sessions are pay what you can. A session is worth £250, and you can set any amount from £1 when you book. Stripe won't take £0.
Is paying £1 really fine?
Yes. Students, early-career journalists and anyone who can't afford more are welcome to pay £1. If you can afford to pay, I trust your judgement.
Is this mentoring or coaching?
Both. Mentoring is me sharing what I've learnt and what I'd do in your position. Coaching is helping you work out your own answer. Most sessions use a bit of each, depending on what you need.
Who is it for?
People working in or moving into news product, audience, data and digital roles: from first jobs to people leading change across a newsroom.
Can my employer pay?
Often, yes. Many organisations will fund mentoring or coaching as personal development, so it's worth asking.
How does ongoing mentoring work?
We agree goals, meet monthly over 3, 6 or 12 months, and stay in touch on WhatsApp between calls. I have 2 to 3 spaces open from October 2026.