Omar Oakes

Omar Oakes is a senior journalist, editor, columnist, event moderator, and podcast host with over a decade of experience in B2B roles covering media, advertising, and marketing.

Omar has a strong background in the UK and international media industry, having worked in managing roles at both national and regional newsrooms, demonstrating his versatile skill set and adaptability.

In 2022, Omar led the successful launch of The Media Leader (formerly Mediatel News) and spearheaded the expansion of the title into the US. Starting with a one-person team, he has since recruited, trained, and managed a group of talented journalists with diverse skills and experience.

Passionate about press freedom, freedom of expression, diversity and inclusion in business, and enhancing access to skills and knowledge through training and educational initiatives, Omar actively advocates for these causes in the industry.

Omar Oakes holds a BSc in Economics, Politics & International Studies from the University of Warwick and has also studied Economics at the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne, showcasing his academic background in relevant fields.

With a rich professional history, Omar has held various key positions including Editor in Chief, Founder & Editor of The Media Leader Podcast, Editor, and other editorial roles at The Media Leader. He has also contributed significantly as Media and Technology Editor at Haymarket Media Group, enhancing his industry knowledge and expertise.

Omar's experience also includes global technology editing and news editing roles at Campaign within Haymarket Media Group, demonstrating his proficiency in diverse areas of media and technology journalism.

Additionally, Omar has served as Deputy iPad Production Editor at Telegraph Media Group, Digital Editor at Newsquest, Chief Reporter, and Reporter at Newsquest, illustrating his extensive journalistic experience across different platforms and publications.