Three decades defined by editorial integrity, technical precision, and the evolution of independent news
Newspapers have always been in Phil Creighton’s blood: as a child he taught himself to read via The Daily Telegraph’s TV listings, while his awareness of print production processes came from the days when full colour pages meant photogravure-printed inserts.
While studying at university, he visited one of the last hot metal newspapers still operating in the UK, while at The Baptist Times and the Reading Evening Post, he helped editors usher in full-colour publications.
Now, journalism means working anywhere
Over the past 30 years, Phil Creighton has navigated the transition from traditional hot-metal heritage to the cutting edge of digital-first strategy. His career is built on a foundation of typographic excellence and a steadfast commitment to public-interest reporting.
His journey began at the Reading Evening Post while he was studying Typography and Graphic Communication at the University of Reading. Moving from the technical precision of pre-press to the fast-paced demands of the newsroom, he developed a unique dual-perspective that allows him to bridge the gap between how a story is told and how it is visually consumed.
As a launch editor for independent weekly titles, Phil provided a masterclass in newsroom architecture. He did not simply edit stories; he built the platforms that carried them, managing everything from political stakeholder relations to complex production flows. His work has since expanded into national commissions and technical advocacy, specifically within the emerging field of Bluetooth LE Audio and assistive listening technology.
In 2025, Phil was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Reading. This recognition serves as a testament to a career dedicated to the belief that strong, independent local journalism remains a vital pillar of a healthy democracy.
Professional footprint: Who has Phil Creighton written for?
National and specialist titles
- Aurahear: A national technical platform devised and launched to provide news, reviews, and features on Auracast Bluetooth LE audio. This project has established Phil as a leading evangelist for assistive listening technology.
- PC Pro and Micro Mart: Contributed tech-related articles including on Auracast for PC Pro and how to build a computer for Micro Mart
- The Sunday Post (DC Thomson): A dream job for Phil – he wrote several Wee Harry strips for the weekly Fun Section, a national institution in Scotland. He is a big fan of British comic strips including Oor Wullie and The Broons.
- The Baptist Times: Worked full-time for the then weekly newspaper for UK Baptist churches. Initially a sub-editor, he became deputy editor and TV critic. He revamped the paper twice, taking it full-colour and then increased pagination without increasing costs. The role led to him writing How To Be Heard In A Noisy World, a guide for church publicity.
- Church Times: Occasional freelance commissions for both the news and features sections.
- Gresham College: PR coordinator, translating academic excellence into mainstream media coverage.
Regional and local leadership
- Cheeselogs: A self-produced arts and leisure website for the Reading area, featuring in-depth interviews with major acts and comprehensive food reviews.
- Reading Evening Post: He started as an advert setter in the pre-press department while still studying at university, moving to page planning and liasing with the plate room before joining the editorial department on graduation. He was initially Special Publications Editor, editing its weekly freesheet Reading Central. He left to join The Baptist Times and rejoined in 2007 to become the paper’s features editor, devising 24Seven – a weekly arts and leisure guide featuring celebrity interviews, food reviews, arts previews, shopping news and a television guide.
- The Wokingham Times: Phil served as its features editor.
- Newbury Weekly News: Freelance reporter.
- Xn Magazine: Publisher and editor of a community-focused hyperlocal title that covered good news stories from across Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell.
- Reading Today and Wokingham Today: Founding editor who launched and directed two independent weekly newspapers, training rookie journalists and breaking many exclusives, attending numerous council meetings, hustings and election counts, and becoming the expert on the boroughs.
Broadcast and public speaking
- BBC Radio Berkshire: Weekly pundit and media commentator for more than six years, regularly guesting on Paul Coia’s Sunday Breakfast show. This only stopped due to the first covid lockdown. Also appeared on shows across the week as and when the station needed him.
- Premier Radio: Weekly slot on John Pantry’s Inspirational Breakfast Show, where Phil would talk about the weekend’s television highlights. The slot even included its own jingle.
- University of Reading: Phil started his career editing Spark, the University of Reading’s student newspaper. This acted as the calling card for his career with the Reading Evening Post. In 2025, he returned to help the Students’ Union relaunch the publication, giving training and advice.
Since launching Aurahear.com, Phil has become an in-demand advocate for Auracast, speaking at conferences including the AIHHP Hearing Expo, and others which have yet to be announced. He has also given training, been filmed several times, and become a leading voice for the new Bluetooth LE Audio technology.