
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
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Despite what you may have read, the price of Easter eggs is coming down
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Next Co-op CEO needs to be a retailer – but not Ronny Gottschlich
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Joybuy, the China opportunity and the Lager Authenticity Index
Make no mistake: the launch of Joybuy is a major milestone for UK retail
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Petrol wars, food security and honey fraud
Clearly the biggest story out there is the US-Iran war, and while we all want to keep calm and carry on, the repercussions are starting to be felt.
Comment & OpinionCould Iran war prompt a supermarket to introduce national fuel pricing?
High fuel prices and huge variances in the same town don’t add up
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: An IWD special, BrewDog and LIVE 2026
It’s extraordinary to consider that a brand once valued at £2bn was sold for around £40m. We’ve examined plans and prospects for the Scottish craft brewer under Tilray
Comment & OpinionEPR bailout is a victory for The Grocer’s relentless journalism
EPR is not a sexy topic but our relentless, exclusive coverage on the controversial tax is making a big difference
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: PackUK bailout, Diageo shock and the Big 30
The Treasury is bailing out PackUK to cover the shortfall from its new EPR tax, while Diageo’s share price crashed 13% as new CEO Dave Lewis slashed dividends and criticised off-trade service. Meanwhile, the NFU secured £345m for farmers and retail crime figures showed the biggest fall since the pandemic
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: BrewDog, Boparan and charity Goodness
It’s not all doom and gloom at The Grocer. In fact it’s been Goodness Week, our annual special focusing on the industry’s social impact
NewsCo-op quick commerce guru quits; logistics leader to follow
The driving force behind Co-op’s quick‑commerce strategy has quit, as allegations of a ’toxic culture’ and senior exits add to uncertainty following last year’s cyberattack
Comment & OpinionEditor’s Picks: EPR, Co-op chaos and Valentine’s Day
They say breaking up is hard to do, and it seems that love is in the air over at Kraft Heinz as well, as the fmcg giant made the decision to call off its break-up in a pre-Valentine’s Day update.
Comment & OpinionCo-op crisis about governance as much as strategy or execution
Hopes the situation would calm down, as issues with the plan were ironed out, do not seem to have materialised
Comment & OpinionSupermarkets have serious work to do on helping blind shoppers
Shakti was conducting a mystery shop at Asda’s Newton Abbot branch. Her treatment was disgraceful
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: HFSS shake-up, BrewDog rumours, retailer pay and caffeine pouches
The nutrient profiling model starting gun has now been fired, with plans to introduce the new definition to determine what constitutes a HFSS product in this parliament
Comment & OpinionNew nutrient profiling model is at odds with scientific sentiment
Slavishly focusing on further reductions in fat, salt and sugar is at odds with the latest scientific consensus, consumer sentiment and retailer actions
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Tariff u-turn, VFC, franchises, fascias and food waste
We’ve been speaking to a number of exporters since Monday after the US president announced punitive levies on eight European countries
Comment & OpinionMorrisons is the most intriguing symbol operator right now
On top of the 1,000 company-owned, company-operated Morrisons Daily stores (or ‘co-cos’ as CEO Rami Baitiéh refers to them), there are now 700 ‘fo-fos’, or franchise owned and franchise operated stores
Comment & OpinionEditor’s picks: Nutrient profiling, TikTok and M&S Food waste
Now the bungling EPR administrator has been slated for sending out warning letters over potential fines for bills that aren’t even due.
Comment & OpinionWithout question the new Defra team is on a mission
Emma Reynolds, Angela Eagle and Paul Kissack are breathing fresh life into Defra





