Archant is launching an investigations unit, in order to gather and present content for the wider local communities covered by the publisher's titles. The team will be researching issues, then breaking its findings down to a local level, passing background information, graphics and key interviews to local teams. David Powles has been appointed as investigations editor at the head of the unit. The team, which is expected to be operational in March, will consist of three to four journalists from across the organisation, seconded on a full- or part-time basis for an initial period of nine months. Powles's role is also a nine-month secondment.

Archant has also launched an election unit, led by Annabelle Dickson. It aims to provide a shared pool of resources, ideas and analysis for local coverage of the general election. The unit, which has named members from every local title, is already live and will be running until the 7 May elections.