
Adam Leyland
Adam led The Grocer between 2006-2026. 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 & OpinionHMRC is taking the piss on counterfeit and illegal tobacco
The entire supply chain must be involved in dealing with the illicit tobacco problem – with urine sampling a proven tactic, says The Grocer editor-at-large Adam Leyland
Comment & OpinionEditor’s Picks: Diageo’s turnaround plan, CMA rules on Aldi and Lidl
On the international trade side a summit between the UK and EU to agree a potential sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal now looks likely to be held later this year, following Keir Starmer’s replacement by Andy Burnham.
- Comment & Opinion
With Argos deal done, Sainsbury’s faces big decisions
Freed of the Argos millstone, will Sainsbury’s turn to Asda, Morrisons or the wholesale sector?
Comment & OpinionIf Andy Burnham wants a fast win, the Good Food Cycle awaits
There is huge speculation about what former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham may do when it comes to food strategy and health
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Grocer Gold Awards, Andy Burnham and scorching weather
All eyes will be on new PM Andy Burnham to see how the former health secretary responds
Comment & OpinionThree lessons from the winners of the Grocer Gold Awards 2026
This week has been dominated by the Grocer Gold Awards on Tuesday. So what are the lessons?
Analysis & FeaturesCo-op’s talent exodus: how can it navigate out of its crisis?
Amid fresh departures, questions swirl over Co-op’s new strategy and structure, leadership, performance and corporate governance
Comment & OpinionBuzzBallz hype hides importance of RTDs to booze category
BuzzBallz success is exceptional but there are lessons to be learned for all in the alcoholic drinks category
Comment & OpinionAdvantage Survey shows supplier shortfalls but retail misses too
There will doubtless be great interest in the list of category and competency winners, but it’s the assessment of supplier capabilities in the broader sense that is of most value
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: M&S’s Only Ingredients, healthy eating out of reach, GLP-1 pills
It’s been a busy week on The Grocer, dominated by our Health Week coverage, which permeates all the sections of the publication
NewsLorraine Hendle to leave William Reed after 27 years
Starting out as sales development manager on The Grocer, Hendle has been a defining force in its evolution and, ultimately, across all William Reed’s UK portfolio
Comment & OpinionDRS shows what works but other packaging policies need fixing
the release of the retailer handling fees was, as one source puts it, the moment it “all became real”
InterviewsRanjit Boparan: a new hero for net zero
The Chicken King is on a mission to show that higher welfare, net zero, affordability and resilience can go hand in glove. Here’s how
Comment & OpinionWhy would Morrisons be in supplier talks with Sainsbury’s?
Morrisons has reportedly entered talks with representatives from rival supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, to sell more goods from its Myton manufacturing arm
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Tariff turmoil, Lidl’s leap and Greggs goes self-serve
Lidl overtakes Morrisons, tariff plans fall flat and confidence plunges across food and drink as new pressures hit the sector
Comment & OpinionCost of living tariffs ‘blitz’ will save shoppers 4p per week if all goes to plan
The underwhelming cost of living’ blitz’ will likely be treated with contempt
Comment & OpinionFrom ‘dial a fiddle’ to déjà vu: why price controls don’t work
The government’s exploration of a price cap plan this week was run back down the flagpole even faster than it was unfurled
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: price caps, politics and retail resets
This week’s issue features extensive coverage of the fallout to political suggestions of price caps, plus a big interview with the chief of UK Packaging PRO, and Focus Ons own label and butter – and much more
Comment & OpinionWhy is no one talking about The European Partnership Bill?
Amid all the political in-fighting, no-one seems to be talking about the European Partnership Bill
Comment & OpinionNever underestimate Amazon, even in grocery
Far from giving up on grocery, with the distraction and demands of physical Amazon Fresh retail stores behind it, the online giant appears revitalised





