Isle of Man Newspapers' Business News Editor Richard Allen is joining PR and marketing company Mainstream Financial as a senior writer and photographer.

Richard (pictured) has 15 years' experience in newspapers industry with the last three years as a reporter and sub-editor working on the Isle of Man Examiner, Manx Independent and Isle of Man Courier.  For the past year, he has edited of the Business News publication in the Examiner.

In his new role at Mainstream, Richard will be taking a lead role in liaising with clients and their above-the-line communication, and focusing on the company's growing list of bluechip clients.

"I'm really looking forward to working for Mainstream, I've always been impressed by the company's professional approach to PR," said Richard.

After graduating from university with a degree in history and politics, Richard began his career as a journalist in 1995 at a local newspaper near his home town of Dudley in the West Midlands.

He gained the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) National Certificate qualification while working at the Worcester Evening News and then moved to the Express & Star, the UK's biggest selling regional newspaper, as a news reporter based at the paper's head office in Wolverhampton.

While at Isle of Man Newspapers, he developed extensive contacts in the Isle of Man business community which he will bring to his new role at Mainstream.

In the past year, Business News has produced several special editions celebrating the best in Isle of Man business, focusing on sectors including e-gaming, manufacturing and finance.

Commenting on his appointment, Managing Director Craig Wolstencroft said, "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Richard`s ability and talent to be joining our team at this time. PR is a vital part of any marketing strategy for a company looking to build their Brand."

Away from business, Richard writes about cycle racing and is a regular contributor of features and photos to the two biggest-selling cycling magazines in the UK, Cycling Weekly and Cycling Plus.