Page Production Spotlight: with Chris Wiltshire

One of PA Media’s busiest teams is its Page Production team based at the group’s Yorkshire headquarters in Howden.

A team comprising a range of editorial skills that encompass design, sub-editing and page layout, the Page Production team are responsible for the assembling and final touches of content for the large majority of UK and Irish newspapers, as well as a number of magazines and curated content platforms – ensuring content is delivered to a quality standard whilst removing a large chunk of time, resource and expense for customers, enabling them to focus on other editorial projects.

At the helm of this team, is Chris Wiltshire, Head of Page Production for PA Media. We grabbed a few minutes with Chris to get him to provide more insight into his role and what his team does, as well as get his reflections on the year so far and what projects are in the pipeline for 2024.

For anyone not familiar with your team – can you give a brief overview of your role and what your team is responsible for?

As head of page production, my role is to oversee a wide range of contracts that PA Media has with national and regional newspapers in the UK and abroad, as well as magazines, books and business-to-business periodicals.

We sub-edit and design individual pages or complete titles, drawing on the phenomenal output of news, sport, features and picture content from the PA wires or using supplied content. We work with publishers to understand their customers’ likes and dislikes, and offer effective cost-saving measures where appropriate.

What does an average day look like for you and your team?

One of the pleasures of working at PA Media is the wide variety of work. We could be sub-editing news for a daily newspaper title for part of the day and then designing and sub-editing a sports supplement, or writing betting content for an overseas title later on. On another day we could be sub-editing lifestyle stories into glossy magazines or designing magazine pages to review a large business conference. Saturdays can be especially busy for the sports team, sub-editing dozens of football and rugby match reports and filling in data panels for a variety of Sunday newspapers to tight deadlines.

What kind of skill set does someone need to possess to work in a page production role?

A solid command of the English language, a good eye for detail and an interest in news and current affairs are the main skills needed. An unflappable disposition is also crucial. The majority of my talented staff cut their teeth on regional titles or in PA’s TV listings department and are well honed in the use of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. A good knowledge of sport is also useful. 

What exciting projects have you worked on this year? Have you noticed any kind of trends that customers have been requesting to your team?

It’s been quite a year for news and sports events. We were involved in producing a number of newspaper and magazine specials both before and after the King’s Coronation in May, while the sports team were kept busy around the Women’s World Cup, the Ryder Cup, the Rugby World Cup and the Cricket World Cup. We are already planning for next year’s FIFA World Cup and Olympics coverage. Another highlight of the year was producing a glossy magazine and accompanying wallchart to preview the biennial Clipper Round the World Yacht Race and working with a national title on creating tailored content 24/7.

An increasing number of customers are coming to us seeking sub-editing support, probably as a result of fewer regional titles investing in junior reporters and apprenticeships.

What are your ambitions for next year?

I’m optimistic that more publishers will see the value in coming to PA to help them meet their needs and that the team will grow in 2024. We are already speaking with a number of customers about potential page production opportunities. It could be another exciting year for us.

To learn more about our page production services click here.

Read InPublishing’s recent piece with Chris and the Page Production team here.