Nicola Leech

Nicola Leech is Head of Audience Development and Engagement at The National, where she has led a global social media team and now oversees loyalty, distribution and growth strategies. She has nearly two decades of experience as a journalist, working in both broadcast and digital roles, and was previously at BBC News and ITV News in the UK.

Follow on

Dani Hakim’s son Harvey has autism, ADHD and dyslexia – he needs constant movement breaks and support with his remote learning. Photo: Dani Hakim

On alert: How those with deafness, neurodivergence or PTSD deal with war

Clinicians and parents explain why sensory triggers linger after the noise fades

WellbeingApril 12, 2026

Australia was the first country in the world to impose an outright ban on under-16s using social media. Getty Images

The case against banning under-16s from social media

First it was Australia. Next it could be the UK. But is prohibition the best way to prepare youngsters for platforms that will be a fixture of their adult lives?

FutureJanuary 23, 2026

Social media platforms and search engines have signalled the start of a new age of information by allowing users to have more control over their feeds. Nick Donaldson / The National

How to train your algorithm (because 2026 is the year you'll have the power)

From Google to Instagram, users are being given more control over their feeds. Here’s what’s changing, why it matters - and what the dangers are

TechnologyJanuary 09, 2026

Locals read the morning newspapers in Nairobi in 2021. AP Photo

Can stories save the world? (Yes, but you have to read them first)

Europe's first solutions festival asks if journalism can help solve the world's biggest problems

CommentSeptember 17, 2023

The young are increasingly at risk of developing tinnitus

Sound advice: Young people are risking more than their hearing

Grinding, beeping, buzzing – the untreatable condition millions are gambling with

WeekendNovember 25, 2022

Media-content providers have to overcome the TL;DR problem (Too Long; Didn't Read) to engage younger generations

What kind of news does Gen Z really want?

At this year's Global Media Congress it was clear that for the next generation engagement is key

UAENovember 18, 2022