Carbon Pulse has grown its European editorial management team with two new hires and an internal promotion, as the company prepares for the departure of one of its co-founders.

Frederic Simon, currently editor of Euractiv’s energy and environment news, will join Carbon Pulse at the end of February in the newly-created role of Head of EMEA.

A veteran journalist with over 20 years of experience covering these beats, Fred will remain based in Brussels and will manage Carbon Pulse’s coverage of carbon markets and climate policy across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

“I’m really honoured to join a team of such talented journalists, and look forward to share insights with them to make Carbon Pulse’s reporting even better,” Fred said.

Reporting to him and overseeing the respective areas of EMEA climate policy and EMEA carbon markets are Sara Stefanini and Roy Manuell.

Sara joined Carbon Pulse last week as EMEA Policy Editor based in London, returning to journalism after several years in climate communications, including working as a strategic advisor for the High-Level Climate Champions.

Prior to that, Sara was a Brussels-based senior policy reporter and deputy editor for energy and climate news for Politico.

Her other previous roles include stints at Climate Home, Interfax, ICIS Heren, and Law360.

Working alongside her as EMEA Markets Editor based in Paris is Roy Manuell, who has been with Carbon Pulse for two years and was promoted last autumn to this new role.

Roy will also manage EMEA’s share of voluntary carbon markets (VCM) reporting, while both he and Sara will co-edit international matters, including UN climate negotiations and Article 6, and developments in the global shipping and aviation sectors.

This accomplished trio will also oversee the expansion of Carbon Pulse’s EMEA coverage and manage the company’s growing regional team, which now stands at 10 reporters.

“Roy has displayed tremendous enthusiasm and industriousness in his reporting, directing our coverage at COP28 in Dubai last month, while Sara has an exceptional reputation as a journalist,” said Carbon Pulse director and co-founder Mike Szabo.

“Together with our outstanding correspondents in the region, they will make a formidable team that will continue to rival the best environmental markets news outlets.”

FAREWELL BEN

The new hires come as current EMEA Editor Ben Garside, one of Carbon Pulse’s three co-founders and directors, has decided to leave the company, as well as carbon markets and journalism entirely.

“After getting on for nine years, I’ve decided that I want to try to do some different things,” Ben said, concluding a journalistic career that has spanned 20 years, with 16 of those in carbon.

“I’m immensely proud of the world-leading specialist news service we have built, a global conference series in Carbon Forward, and a place that so many talented, dedicated, and lovely people are now able to build their careers,” he added.

“The courage and dedication of my fellow co-founders and impetus from our ever-growing team mean Carbon Pulse is superbly positioned to provide the best news and insights for carbon and biodiversity professionals all over the world.”

Ben’s departure from Carbon Pulse has been met with great sadness from its staff as beyond managing them, he had also taken on a mentor role for many, skilfully guiding their reporting in what can be a treacherous landscape to navigate, while always imparting his editorial wisdom with a touch of his own brand of Northern English humour.

“Working so closely with Ben through all these years has been a privilege. Carbon Pulse could not have become what we are without him, and as well he has become a great friend in the process. We wish him all the best in life after carbon,” said Stian Reklev, the company’s third director and co-founder.

“At the same time, getting an experienced and very capable editor like Fred in to lead our EMEA division, with Sara and Roy as expert team leaders, is exciting and gives confidence that Carbon Pulse will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Carbon Pulse is also eying a number of other appointments in the coming weeks and months, aimed at bolstering and expanding the company’s global news reporting and enhancing its growing suite of non-editorial offerings.

Ben’s last day with the company is this Friday, Jan. 19.  Well wishes can be emailed to ben@carbon-pulse.com.

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