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Fergus Bell
Founder & CEO

Fergus Bell is a pioneering journalist and media innovator dedicated to driving creative change and sustainability in news, particularly in addressing the climate crisis. Over a decade ago, recognising the potential impact of social media on journalism, Fergus and Tom Trewinnard co-founded Pop-Up Newsroom, a framework for collaborative journalism that has achieved global success, including the award-winning “Verificado” project monitoring misinformation.

Building on this experience, they co-founded Fathm in 2019 as a news lab, consultancy, and agency dedicated to fighting misinformation, enabling sustainable change, and fuelling innovation in the news industry. Syli, a non-profit organisation, is the culmination of their decade-long work, harnessing the power of media collaboration to bring about change, particularly around climate outcomes.

Fergus honed his expertise in digital newsgathering, verification, and newsroom innovation during eight years at the Associated Press, culminating in his role as their first International Social Media and UGC Editor. He continues to advise broadcasters, publishers, and start-ups worldwide on editorial challenges and digital transformation. He is also a 2019 Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellow, a faculty member of the European Broadcasting Union’s Academy, and a John Schofield Trust Senior Fellow.

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Tom Trewinnard