Manchester’s business scene has undergone myriad changes over the past year with the coming of Crain’s, the reaction of the established titles, new online channels like NXTBook launching and (very) recently the arrival of the ambitious BusinessDesk.

It now appears like the latter, like Crain’s before it, could be set to emerge as something of a new prime mover on the scene.

Speaking to How-Do yesterday evening, TheBusinessDesk.com founder David Parkin confirmed that he had succeeded in securing the high profile signing of Barry.

“Yes, he handed in his notice today,” he stated, adding; “and now I’ve been told that he’s been put out on gardening leave, which is quite an unusual thing to do with a journalist.”

Barry has been with the MEN for the past decade, moving up to take the mantle of business editor two and a half years ago.

Parkin: ambitious

“I said when we launched that this region deserves quality journalism and real investment,” Parkin said, “and I think this shows that we’re prepared to follow through on our promises.

“We took the decision to launch here and show our commitment prior to having the entire team in place, as that demonstrated how serious we are and enabled certain conversations to happen.”

Parkin added that more appointments would soon be following suit, but refused to elaborate on what (and who) they might be.

However, How-Do understands that a commercial manager has already agreed in principle to join the operation, although this has not reached the stage of contractual agreement as of yet.

Barry’s starting date at TheBusinessDesk is also not yet clear, due to the current gardening leave situation, but it is expected be a matter of weeks rather than months.

He himself refused to comment on the story when contacted by How-Do.

www.thebusinessdesk.com

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