The editorial and commercial teams at the Evening Standard have been informed of a proposed transfer to the owner of The Independent, as part of a strategy to enhance digital operations. This transition is set to take effect on March 1, 2024, although contract negotiations remain in progress. Evening Standard Limited (ESL) will continue to publish its weekly print edition, which has shifted to a Thursday release since the closure of its daily print version in September 2024.
Staff members received a memo detailing that they could apply for voluntary redundancy, with applications due by January 26, 2024, at 09:00. Those who do not apply for voluntary redundancy and object to the transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) may face the termination of their employment without any redundancy or notice payment.
Tamar Riley, the CEO of the Evening Standard, stated that the company is “in discussions” with Independent Media to broaden their existing partnership. This would encompass additional responsibilities for The Standard’s digital operations, including content and commercial activities. Lord Evgeny Lebedev, who holds significant stakes in both newspapers, oversees this transition.
In her communication, Riley emphasized that the collaboration aims to bolster the digital aspects of The Standard while maintaining the current print product and core team. She noted, “Independent Media has a proven track record in building and growing successful digital businesses.”
The Evening Standard’s print publication has undergone significant changes in recent years. Following the cessation of its daily edition, approximately 150 staff members were reported to have been made redundant, with around 70 of those in editorial roles. Current estimates suggest that the Standard employs about 75 people, with a core team of around 25 likely to remain to support the print edition.
The Independent, which operates the fourth-largest news website in the UK, recorded an audience of 20.7 million in November. In comparison, the Evening Standard’s website attracted 10.7 million visitors, ranking it 16th in Press Gazette’s top 50 list of UK news publishers. The Independent also reported higher audience engagement, with users spending an average of eight minutes per visit, compared to five minutes on the Standard’s site.
The Evening Standard has faced challenges in recent years, with insiders commenting on the impact of former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne‘s editorial decisions since his appointment in 2017. One source described the situation as “the beginning of the end,” attributing ongoing difficulties to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of a clear strategy for the website.
After the resignation of former editor Dylan Jones in May 2023, the position has remained vacant, with Anna van Praagh serving as acting editor. The source noted that the website’s traffic has become increasingly unpredictable, largely driven by external sources like Google News, indicating a need for a more cohesive digital strategy.
With significant changes on the horizon, many staff members express concern and uncertainty about the future of the Evening Standard. The proposed transfer to Independent Media represents a pivotal moment in the publication’s evolution, as it seeks to adapt to the shifting landscape of digital journalism while striving to maintain its brand identity and quality of reporting.
