Reporting the UK from Manchester and Salford – past, present and future

2026 marks the 15th anniversary of the BBC’s move to MediaCityUK in Salford—a decision that fundamentally reshaped national news production in the North West and expanded the BBC’s UK-wide journalism outside London. From Radio 5 Live and BBC Breakfast to the News at One, Salford is now at the heart of the BBC’s domestic news operation, building on a broadcasting heritage in Greater Manchester that dates back to the 1920s.

This talk looks behind the scenes at what it took to make that transformation happen, what it has delivered for audiences across the UK, and what lies ahead as the government consults on the BBC’s Royal Charter beyond 2027. It will explore newsroom transformation, digital modernisation, and the evolving role of public service broadcasting in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The speaker, Sam Taylor, is Executive Director of BBC News Across the UK, on secondment from his role as Chief Operating Officer for BBC News & Current Affairs. He has worked at the BBC since 1997 across senior editorial, operational, and transformation roles, including Controller of the BBC News Channel, Head of Live & Breaking News, and Managing Editor. He played a key role in the move of BBC Breakfast to Salford and has led teams covering major global events including Covid, the war in Ukraine, and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Please note that the session will begin promptly at the scheduled time. Attendees are welcome to arrive early for refreshments before we begin.