About The Local
The Local’s goal is to give you all the news and essential information you need about life in nine European countries. Whether you are a foreign resident, a frequent visitor, someone with family here or are planning a move, our aim is to provide what you need.
Because The Local is staffed by people who have set up lives abroad, we have a keen understanding of the challenges our readers face and we work closely with our members across Europe to bring you the stories and practical tips that really matter.
The Local was founded in 2004 and we now have a team of dedicated journalists on the ground in nine countries. In 2018 we launched membership and in 2021 we were thrilled to reach a milestone of 50,000 paying members. This support means everything to us and makes us more determined than ever to continue investing in our award-winning independent journalism.
The Local was founded in 2004 and we now have a team of dedicated journalists on the ground in nine countries. In 2018 we launched membership and in 2021 we were thrilled to reach a milestone of 50,000 paying members. This support means everything to us and makes us more determined than ever to continue investing in our award-winning independent journalism.
Meet The Local Team
James Savage
CEO & PublisherJames moved to Sweden from the UK at the start of the millennium and was a co-founder of The Local in 2004.
Paul Rapacioli
FounderOriginally from London, Paul moved to Sweden in 2003. He started The Local with James Savage in 2004.
Nicholas Rabbidge
Head Of Product & MarketingNic is responsible for growing our membership subscription service. Originally from Australia, he now lives in Stockholm.
Paul O'Mahony
Editorial Product ManagerPaul comes from Ireland and has lived in Sweden since 1999. He first joined The Local as a reporter in 2006.
James Corden
Digital Marketing ManagerJames comes from the UK and works with social media and marketing from our office in Stockholm.
Dusan Novakovic
Chief Technology OfficerBorn on the Croatian coastline, professionally shaped in the capital of Serbia, Dusan moved to Sweden in 2009 hungry for new tech adventures. Joined The Local in 2022.
Caroline Hannah
Finance ManagerCaroline is Swedish and grew up in Sweden, but she is also half British due to her Scottish father. She joined The Local in June 2022 and when she is not busy when all the numbers, you find her in the stable with her horses - a horse-girl.
Martijn Balzer
International Key Account ManagerMartijn moved to Sweden from the Netherlands at the start of the millennium and joined The Local during the spring of 2021.
Mike Stuchbery
Commercial Content EditorMike, based in Germany and originally from Australia, is a Content Editor for the DACH region and regularly contributes to The Local Germany.
Lara Thordardottir
Ad Operations ExecutiveLara, originally from Iceland, now lives in Stockholm, Sweden where she manages our ad operations.
Paige Latham
Customer Support SpecialistPaige grew up in Iowa (USA). She has lived in Italy for 15 years and has also worked in the USA, Hong Kong and the UK.
Ben McPartland
Managing EditorBen comes from the UK and became the first editor of The Local France in 2013. He now heads the editorial team from Paris.
Emma Löfgren
Deputy Managing Editor & Editor, The Local SwedenEmma returned to her native Sweden and joined The Local in 2015 after an eight-year stint in Scotland.
Amanda Previdelli
Editor, The Local AustriaAmanda arrived in Europe from Brazil in 2016. She has worked for Globo and TV Bandeirantes and studied in Brazil, the US and UK, specialising in Journalism and International Relations.
Michael Barrett
Editor, The Local DenmarkMichael hails from Suffolk but studied in Beirut and Denmark and has also worked as a business reporter with Bloomberg Tax. He joined The Local in 2015.
Emma Pearson
Editor, The Local FranceOriginally from Yorkshire in the UK, Emma worked as content editor at the Lancashire Evening Post before moving to France. She joined The Local as France editor in 2019.
Genevieve Mansfield
Journalist, The Local FranceGenevieve grew up in the Washington, DC area in the US. She moved to France to teach English at two middle schools outside of Paris. She recently completed her Master’s degree in Journalism and International Affairs at Sciences Po.
Rachel Stern
Editor, The Local Germany (On Parental Leave)Rachel moved to Germany from California in 2014. An experienced journalist, she joined The Local in 2017.
Rachel Loxton
Acting EditorRachel comes from Scotland and has lived in Berlin since 2017. She joined The Local in 2018 after ten years of writing and editing for UK publications.
Clare Speak
Editor, The Local ItalyOriginally from Manchester, England, Clare lived and worked in several European countries including Spain and the Czech Republic before moving to Italy. She joined The Local in 2018.
Elaine Allaby
Journalist, The Local ItalyOriginally from the UK, Elaine has lived in Rome, Italy for the last several years. She started writing for The Local's Italy edition in 2018.
Frazer Norwell
Editor, The Local NorwayFrazer is originally from the UK but is now happy to call Norway home. He worked for ITV News before joining The Local in 2021.
Alex Dunham
Editor, The Local SpainBorn in the UK but bred in Spain, Alex is a multimedia journalist who has lived and worked in Europe, the UAE and South Africa.
Richard Orange
Journalist, The Local SwedenRichard is a Malmö-based British writer who has written regularly for The Guardian and The Telegraph.
Becky Waterton
Journalist, The Local SwedenBecky comes from Manchester and previously lived in Denmark, Austria and Scotland. Now based in Malmö, she joined The Local in 2021.
Helena Bachmann
Journalist, The Local SwitzerlandBased in Geneva, Helena is a highly experienced writer who has also contributed to outlets like TIME magazine, USA Today and United Press International.