The Grocer has appointed a new managing editor to replace Emma Weinbren, alongside a number of changes to its editorial team.
Lucy Aitken will join The Grocer this week. She has more than two decades of experience in B2B publishing, having held senior editorial positions at Campaign, Contagious, Warc and Lions Intelligence, and as a freelance journalist and consultant.
She will replace Weinbren, who is leaving at the end of this week to pursue a freelance career after more than nine years at The Grocer, including five as managing editor.
Editor-in-chief Adam Leyland said: “Emma will be sorely missed. She is a brilliant business journalist and editor, informed not only by her intelligence and curiosity but also her passion for food and drink in all its forms. But we are delighted we’ve been able to bring in Lucy, who offers a wealth of experience, strong contacts and a wide skillset.”
The Grocer news team
Two editorial promotions have also been announced, effective immediately. Kevin White – who has headed up the fresh foods desk for the past nine years – has been promoted to international trade editor, replacing Maria Gonçalves, who is leaving to work as a freelance journalist.
Replacing White as fresh foods editor will be current deputy fresh foods editor Grace Duncan.
The Grocer has also made a number of new hires. Elinor Zuke has been appointed data editor with responsibility for the relaunch of the Grocer 33 and to spearhead The Grocer’s enhanced data journalism capabilities. It is Zuke’s second spell on The Grocer: she was previously a senior reporter before moving to Insurance Times as news editor.
Two new reporters have also joined the team in recent weeks. Cara Houlton was appointed senior reporter, covering the wholesale, foodservice and food to go sectors, while Dominic Bernard has joined as finance reporter, reporting into Ed Devlin, who was promoted to finance editor in March.
Leyland added: “We’re also sorry to see Maria go. Over the last four years and at a time of unprecedented political upheaval she has covered the international trade beat with great skill and hard work. And her coverage of the minutiae of trade policy changes has been complemented by a strong investigative streak. But the promotions are well deserved. And I’m delighted we’ve been able to bring in some fresh and exciting new talent in Cara and Dominic, as well as welcoming back Elinor into The Grocer fold.
“With these new appointments I’m confident The Grocer will go from strength to strength. Traffic to thegrocer.co.uk is at a record high while subscriptions are also the highest ever, and The Grocer Gold Awards next month is sold out. Each in their own way show how highly valued The Grocer is.
”And we are as committed as ever to ensuring that we stay on top of all the latest news, trends and technology to keep it that way.”
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