
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
Editor’s picks: Joe Wicks, the TikTok table and Roberts Bakery
The Joe Wicks mockumentary on Monday caused a huge brouhaha, while the next day brought news of Roberts Bakery going into administration
- Comment & Opinion
‘Erratic’ buyers are on increasingly thin ice over forecasting
Failure to forecast accurately and fairly is a serious issue if taken to the extreme
- Comment & Opinion
Editor’s picks: The best of Green Week
We’ve pulled together the diverse components of our first-ever Green Week into a compelling read
- Comment & Opinion
Editor’s picks: Amazon Fresh, Co-op cyberattack and the Dairymen
Our coverage of the latest delay to the EU Deforestation Regulation is punchy and insightful
- Analysis & Features
Co-op cyberattack hurt but its response tells a better story
The Co-op is also back on the front foot. While store openings slowed, 30 will come onstream in the second half
- Comment & Opinion
Editor’s picks: Sainsbury’s whirlwind romance, Deliveroo, inflation and cooking shows
It’s been another busy week on The Grocer, with analysis on the fallout of the Sainsbury’s/JD.com dalliance, a deep dive into TV cooking shows, a look at Will Shu’s Deliveroo success story and more
- Comment & Opinion
Urban Legend’s demise: self-fulfilling prophecy or cautionary tale?
What went wrong for Urban Legend? The name? The proposition? The science?
- Comment & Opinion
Winning M&S distribution deal from Booker is a real feather in Blakemore’s cap
For many years, Blakemore has been one of the best and most efficient distribution businesses in the UK
- Comment & Opinion
Farmers say GCA not fit for purpose, but how would they know?
Farmers and processors have not benefited from the Adjudicator’s oversight
- Comment & Opinion
Mandatory health targets are a game-changer for M&A strategy
Food businesses are facing pressure to get healthier from government and major investors
- Comment & Opinion
Why the HFSS promotions ban was never going to work
It’s easy to carp from the sidelines when well-intentioned folk try to effect important change – but the HFSS promotions ban was never going to work.
- Comment & Opinion
Mystery shop win symbolises M&S recovery from cyberattack
M&S is pulling in more punters despite prices 22% higher than the cheapest supermarket. Impressive
- Comment & Opinion
Sainsbury’s has used Moriarty move to streamline senior team
It was never going to be easy for Sainsbury’s to replace Clo Moriarty: hers was a uniquely fashioned job title for a rare talent
- Comment & Opinion
Where do big suppliers stand in revitalised war on plastic?
The Plastics Pact has been revitalised by the united actions of supermarkets. But there’s a massive elephant in the room: where are the big suppliers?
- Comment & Opinion
Keir kibosh of food strategy plans has Boris Johnson hallmarks
It’s clearly not easy reaching a consensus on a national food strategy, but Labour has had plenty of time
- Interviews
How has Tesco changed under Ken Murphy in the past five years?
After winning The Grocer Cup last week, Group CEO Ken Murphy outlines how Tesco has changed in the nearly five years since he took on the role
- News
Media Bites 16 July: Sainsbury’s, Good Food Cycle, ASA, greenwashing, B&M
The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech last night did not trigger many headlines
- Comment & Opinion
Grocer Gold Awards celebrates industry’s inspiration and hard work
The awards recognise the big hitters, as well as the efforts of the hidden heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes
- Comment & Opinion
Darren Blackhurst comeback is latest plot twist in Asda soap opera
If Darren Blackhurst can recreate the spark he brought to Asda all those years ago, it will match anything in Emmerdale
- Comment & Opinion
The Grocer’s first-ever Health Issue: it’s been an education
Snack to the Future: health warnings, babyfood bombshells and cottage cheese. It’s all in our Health Issue