In a significant development for London's media landscape, Independent Media is set to assume control of the digital and commercial functions of the London Standard newspaper. This move comes just over a year after the publication dramatically scaled back its daily print distribution to concentrate on a weekly edition.
Operational Restructuring Announced
Staff at the Standard were notified via a memo circulated on Tuesday 20th January 2026 that the publication, owned by Lord Evgeny Lebedev for more than fifteen years, is currently in negotiations with Independent Media regarding its digital operations. Lebedev also maintains a stake in Independent Media, creating a familiar partnership for this new venture.
The internal communication confirmed that the Standard will continue to produce its weekly print product with what it described as "a core print team." This strategy is designed to be supported by "a cost structure that future-proofs the business." For employees not continuing in the new structure, a voluntary redundancy scheme will be offered, running concurrently with a formal consultation process for other roles.
Challenges for a Historic Title
This operational overhaul follows a particularly challenging period for one of London's oldest newspapers. The Standard's traditional freesheet model, which relied on weekday distribution, was severely disrupted by a combination of factors. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic reduction in commuter traffic, while broader shifts in media consumption habits further undermined its previous business model.
In response to these pressures, the publication made the pivotal decision in September 2024 to reduce its print output, transitioning from a daily to a larger, more substantial weekly edition.
Independent Media's Expanding Portfolio
The proposed deal represents the latest in a series of strategic acquisitions by the Independent Media Group as it seeks to expand its portfolio of news brands. In 2024, the group took control of the UK operations for prominent digital publishers BuzzFeed and Huffington Post.
Notably, Independent Media has managed to turn both of these publications, which were loss-making at the time of acquisition, into profitable entities in under two years. This track record suggests a strategic approach to revitalising digital media brands.
Ownership and Historical Context
Both the Standard and Independent have close ties to Lord Lebedev, a Russian-born media proprietor who was awarded a peerage by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2020. In 2009, Lebedev and his father, a former KGB agent, purchased the newspaper—then known as the Evening Standard—for a nominal sum of just £1. They subsequently oversaw its transformation into a free newspaper distributed in the afternoon, primarily at transport hubs across the capital.
Other shareholders in the Standard include Saudi financier Mohamed Abuljadayel and Lord Rothermere, owner of the Daily Mail. Lebedev and Abuljadayel also hold stakes in Independent Media, alongside other shareholders such as entrepreneur and Felix Project co-founder Justin Byam Shaw.
Focus on Sustainable Growth
The memo to staff, first reported by the Financial Times, emphasised that while "no final decisions had been made," management and shareholders are actively "exploring options to strengthen the performance of our digital and print operations." Senior leadership expressed hope that the new operational structure would achieve several key objectives.
These goals include strengthening the publication's audience reach and commercial proposition, upholding the quality and integrity of the Standard's journalism, supporting its personnel, and positioning the organisation for sustainable, long-term growth in an increasingly competitive digital media environment.
