UK managing director Lorraine Hendle will be leaving William Reed in August after 27 years with the business.
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 of magazines, websites, conferences, awards, exhibitions and market research capabilities. She has led, launched and shaped brands across grocery, manufacturing, hospitality and retail, including The Grocer, Retail Week, Convenience Store, Forecourt Trader and Morning Advertiser.
In the process, Hendle has delivered significant brand transformation, audience growth, commercial innovation and cultural change, ensuring these brands remain authoritative, relevant and future-focused in a rapidly changing industry. She leaves behind a strong leadership legacy, high-performing teams, and a portfolio of brands well positioned for continued growth and relevance.
Hendle has also been a passionate advocate for supporting people across the grocery and wider food industry, having served as a trustee of GroceryAid and as a steering group member of Grocery Girls and Farm Africa’s Food For Good initiative for several years. In addition, she served on the board of the Association of Convenience Stores and Morning Advertiser.
Hendle said she wanted to spend more time with her family before considering her next career move, but wished everyone at William Reed continued success.
“William Reed has been my professional home for nearly three decades, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together,” she said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding teams and brilliant customers, and of leading brands that genuinely matter to the industry they serve. It’s been an honour to have contributed to digital transformation, event creation, and navigating fundamental structural change in the media landscape.”
CEO Tracy De Groose said Lorraine’s contribution to William Reed was immense.
“Lorraine has been a defining part of William Reed for almost 30 years, and her impact on our business and our industry has been significant.
”She has led with passion, creativity and deep customer understanding, helping to build and evolve some of our most important brands. I’m hugely grateful for everything she has given to William Reed, and we all wish her the very best for this next chapter.”
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