A journalist for 15 years, Butcher has also worked as Deputy Editor for Gay Times magazine, and as Editor for indy100.com, the acerbic sister site to The Independent.

Big Issue Editorial Director, Paul McNamee said: “Ryan comes with masses of experience and the right stuff to lead our digital growth strategy. Big Issue is at a vital part in its history. Our digital growth over the last two years has built an incredible platform that allows us to extend our mission, and bring our award-winning journalism to a wider audience. Ryan will inspire the team to go further, to continue to speak for those without a voice.”

Butcher started as a local news reporter for the Lincolnshire Echo and has gone on to conduct high-profile interviews with telling investigations and essential campaigns.

Big Issue News and Digital Editor, Ryan Butcher said: “It gives me immense pride to now be part of the talented team here at Big Issue. Dismantling poverty, tackling inequality, and fighting for social justice are some of the very ideals that brought me to journalism in the first place. Using storytelling to enact some kind of meaningful change at such a pivotal time in our society is a genuine privilege that I do not take for granted.”