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26 July 2024

Exposed Magazine

Photo: Rob Nicholson // Pedalo Photography

Award-winning podcast company Persephonica is moving its headquarters to the Steel City, as part of its plans to create a ground-breaking podcasting hub in the North of England.

The company has been celebrated for its acclaimed podcasts like ‘Miss Me?’ with Lily Allen & Miquita Oliver, and ‘Political Currency’ with George Osborn and Ed Balls, as well as hosting podcast festival Crossed Wires in Sheffield earlier this year.

Its headquarters will be one of many new organisations moving into Leah’s Yard in the city centre, a former industrial workshop on Cambridge Street that will open its doors on Saturday 24th August.

CEO of Persephonica, Dino Sofos, said: “This is a huge boost for creativity in the North. We are very excited about starting a new chapter for British podcasting in this buzzing, creative and diverse city.”

Dino and co-founder Tom O’Hara, both Sheffield natives, are passionate about increasing socio-economic diversity in the media. As part of this, moving away from its previous HQ in London will mean some of the country’s biggest podcast shows can now be made and produced in Sheffield.

“Talented people from lower income backgrounds often struggle to get a foot on the ladder in the media because they can’t afford to do free work experience or freelance on low wages while paying high rents in London,” Dino added. “It means people growing up in the South East have an unfair advantage at securing interesting and influential media jobs. The best way to change the status quo is to create more opportunities outside the capital.”

Persephonica is also committed to developing a new pool of podcasting talent in the region, and will partner with local colleges and universities to generate new training opportunities and internships.

Dino explained: “Thanks to its abundance of world-class journalism and media courses, South Yorkshire is full of people with huge potential to become the future stars of the podcasting industry.”

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard praised the return of the podcasting pioneers to the city:  “I’m delighted to see Persephonica move into Leah’s Yard in Sheffield’s new Heart of the City. A multi-award-winning company with an audience of millions across all its productions choosing to relocate here shows that new, energetic and creative businesses share our confidence in the future of South Yorkshire. I look forward to working with the Persephonica team as they go from strength to strength.”

To keep up to date with Persephonica’s latest activities, follow them on socials @persephonicahq.