Adam Leyland
Adam has led The Grocer since 2006. In that time he and his team have picked up a string of awards, as the publication, now celebrating its 160th anniversary, has been transformed into a multi-channel operation, comprising a weekly magazine, a vibrant website, multiple daily and weekly newsletters and a strong social media presence, as well as awards, conferences and webinars.
A well-known figure in the food and drink industry, Adam makes frequent appearances on TV and radio and regularly hosts conferences, webinars and awards. And his knowledge is as broad as the sector itself: from health & obesity, to online and rapid delivery; from sustainability to entrepreneurship; from farm shops and challenger brands, to the giant supermarkets and multinational suppliers.
Above all, Adam is a lifelong 'foodie' and 'winophile'. His love of food and drink – and of seeing and sampling exciting new products, merchandised and prepared in clever and compelling ways – continues to this day. But he is also passionate about the social aspect of food, and has successfully lobbied the government for funding to subsidise food waste redistribution through The Grocer’s award-winning Waste Not Want Not campaign. He has also championed the merits of a balanced diet and common sense in the ongoing debate about obesity.
Adam was voted Editor of the Year at the British Society of Magazine Editors Awards in 2015 and 2009 and his support for great journalism has seen The Grocer pick up a further seven awards under his tenure: BSME writer of the year (three times); BSME web editor of the year; BSME specialist team of the year; and PPA features writer of the year (twice).
In a 35+-year career as a journalist and editor Adam has also interviewed a wide variety of politicians, celebrities and senior business leaders, including Buzz Aldrin, Richie Benaud, Stelios, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Terry Leahy, Sir James Dyson, Lord Sainsbury, Sir Philip Green, David Cameron and the press secretary to US President Bill Clinton.
Other publications he has edited include Real Business, PRWeek (launching the US edition in seven weeks), Press Gazette and PrintWeek. He has also written for the FT, The Times, Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Daily Mail, The Observer, The Independent, The Guardian, The Evening Standard and several business publications including Management Today, Campaign and Marketing.
Adam is married with a son and lives in London.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610263
- Email:
- adam.leyland@thegrocer.co.uk
- Comment & Opinion
Food safety Scores on Doors cannot be marked by supermarkets
Supermarkets and large food businesses must not be allowed to mark their own homework. But who will pay?
- News
Media Bites 9 October: Brandy, Kantar, Europastry IPO, 7-Eleven
The papers pick up on a trade row in Brussels and also report the latest supermarket data from Kantar
- Comment & Opinion
Why ‘green tax’ isn’t being watered down by Defra
Sunday Times report ahead of second Defra update is misinformed
- News
Media Bites 30 September: Applied Nutrition, EPR, Tropicana, Asda
There’s plenty of headlines to catch up on in this weekend’s papers
- Comment & Opinion
Who are the runners and riders for the Asda CEO role?
Lionel Desclée, Andy Clarke and Steve Murrells among the runners and riders for the vacant CEO role
- News
Media Bites 23 September: Post Office, Asda, Which? fuel prices, WH Smith, Brexit
The seventh and final phase of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry kicks off this week
- Comment & Opinion
Asda and Post Office resignations show it’s tough at the top
Bruising experiences cannot hide mistakes
- Comment & Opinion
Waitrose must focus on price and loyalty to maintain turnaround momentum
The John Lewis Partnership turnaround is “definitely working”, but new chair Jason Tarry has areas to focus on
- News
Media Bites 9 September: Unilever, Tesco, Asda, 7-Eleven, Charlie Bigham
Unilever is finally pulling out of Russia
- Comment & Opinion
All eyes on Defra amid extended producer responsibility fee fallout
Defra’s hopes of calming fears haven’t been helped by the Policy Exchange think tank, which claims the fees are nothing more than a £2bn annual packaging tax
- News
City snapshot: Andrew Carter quits as Chapel Down profits slump
Chapel Down and Hilton Foods announced results and personnel changes. Itsu reported record grocery sales.
- Comment & Opinion
Ultra-processed foods concerns are changing shopper behaviour
Heightened awareness is resulting in higher expectations
- Comment & Opinion
Will Mars-Kellanova deal signal a UPF black hole?
Will this Kellanova be a giant explosion, releasing a massive amount of energy, in the form of sugar, fat and salt?
- Interviews
The people’s CEO: how Simon Roberts changed Sainsbury’s culture
The Sainsbury’s CEO is winning with a strategy that has prioritised people as much as food
- Comment & Opinion
Loyalty prices investigation: painstaking and pointless
The Competition & Markets Authority needs to be more accountable to the taxpayer with its Whichhunts
- Comment & Opinion
King’s Speech will cost millions, but it’s been broadly welcomed
A renewed focus on food offers hope as well as trepidation
- Comment & Opinion
We cannot expect consumers to drive the change grocery needs
The UK urgently needs new impetus and leadership on sustainability
- Grocer 33
Asda cheapest in Grocer 33 price comparison for third week on trot
Asda’s 68.75 total was £1.51 cheaper than the equivalent basket from nearest rival Sainsbury’s
- Comment & Opinion
The Grocer’s six asks of the new Labour government
New policy is either expected or to be hoped for on issues such as wages, health, sustainability and more, but it’s also about the approach
- Comment & Opinion
Roisin Currie: the most humble of Grocer Cup winners
The Grocer Cup trophy dates back to 1923, and the list of former winners reads like a who’s who of grocery greats