Stroud-based entrepreneur Dale Vince has announced what he calls the “rescue” of the award-winning Camden New Journal newspaper group, saying he will take responsibility for the loss-making titles and invest to help secure their future.
Vince, founder of Ecotricity and owner of Forest Green, is taking on the newspaper group in his latest media venture. He formed the new media outfit Babelfish last year and said the move reflected his belief that local newspapers still have an important future, despite the decline of print media at national level.
Investment in a loss-making newspaper group
The Camden New Journal group has, until Vince’s intervention, been operated as a co-operative, non-profit organisation. Its titles serve communities in the capital and are known for campaigning and investigative reporting.
Announcing the deal on September 24, 2026, Vince said: “I greatly admire the people and the journalism at the Camden New Journal,” and said he wanted to help protect the future of the papers and their journalists.
“Regional newspapers are vital to our democracy and , despite print media going out of fashion at the national level for many years now, I think local media has a future, I want to help ensure that – to play my part.”
He also urged the communities served by the group to continue supporting the Camden New Journal and its staff. His comments highlighted the organisation’s role not only in reporting news, but also in holding power to account and campaigning on issues affecting people in London.
“This isn’t just a rescue mission it’s bigger than that,” Vince said, describing the proposed partnership as an effort to support local papers, young journalists and a stronger local-media network, beginning with the Camden New Journal.
Plans for reporting and online coverage
Camden New Journal editor Richard Osley said discussions with Vince and his team had created an opportunity to protect the group’s existing work while expanding its contribution.
The plans include creating more opportunities for reporters from underrepresented backgrounds, increasing the newspaper’s capacity for investigations and strengthening its online service. Osley said the aim was to deliver more stories and scrutiny, while offering an example to local journalists elsewhere who want to hold people in power to account.
“Our discussions with Dale and his team have opened up an exciting opportunity to protect what we do and expand our contribution.”
Osley also stressed that the papers would continue to need support from their loyal readership and from people who value journalism. He said readers contribute through published letters, story tips, donations and subscriptions, adding that their feedback had played a major part in the group’s success.
He said the staff had not considered every offer and would not enter a partnership lightly. However, they believed Vince’s team understood the importance of a more plural media landscape and spaces where local and national conversations could include a wide range of views.
A newspaper with roots in a 15-month strike
The Camden New Journal was founded in 1982 by editor Eric Gordon after a 15-month strike followed the closure of its predecessor, the Camden Journal. Gordon led the paper until his death at the age of 89 in 2021.
His motto, still held by staff, was: “Open to all and coerced by none.” The newspaper group recently exclusively reported that former Prime Minister Keir Starmer was stepping down as an MP and that Green leader Zack Polanski was standing for the Holborn and St Pancras seat.
The current senior team includes editor Richard Osley, deputy editor Tom Foot and award-winning senior reporter Dan Carrier. Together, they have overseen the publication for more than 70 years.
Vince said the staff were exceptional and praised their commitment, knowledge and energy. He said meeting them had made him want to help, take part and create something together.
The announcement is the latest media development involving the Stroud-based Ecotricity founder and Forest Green owner. The proposed investment is intended to support the Camden titles while Vince and the newspaper’s staff seek backing from readers and others who believe in independent local journalism.