Author: Abi Murphy

These hires follow the arrival of Alex Unitt as Chief Commercial Officer, whose appointment brought Hearst UK’s Client & Agency Sales and Brand Diversification divisions under a single leadership for the first time.

In the newly created role of Head of Partnership Solutions, Sarah Newton Boyd will oversee Hearst UK’s licensing and commerce partnerships. With over 30 years’ experience across media sales, marketing and commercial content, she joins from Haymarket where she was Partnerships Director. Prior to this, Newton Boyd was Managing Director and Co-Owner of CREW Agency Ltd, where she led the development of integrated creative and digital campaigns. She has also held senior positions at organisations including Telegraph Media Group.

As Head of Hearst Global Solutions in the UK, Joe Grimsdale will lead the global sales team based in London, delivering multi-market brand activations. Grimsdale joins from Ogury, where he was Global Sales Director and Interim UK Country Director. An experienced commercial leader across tech and advertising, his career spans roles at Spotify, Vevo and Telegraph Media Group.

Heading up Hearst UK’s newly formed Revenue Optimisation function, Sylvain Foucat will bring together sales enablement, inventory management, strategy and analytics to strengthen commercial performance across all channels. With more than a decade of experience leading data-driven commercial strategy, Foucat joins from BBC Studios, where he was Business Intelligence Director.

Newton Boyd, Grimsdale and Foucat join Hearst UK’s Commercial Senior Leadership Team, which also includes Jacqueline Euwe, Chief Luxury Officer, who leads Hearst UK’s recently launched Luxury Hub; Jamie Doubleday, Head of Client Partners; and Amy Brown, Head of Trading & Agency. 

Alex Unitt, Chief Commercial Officer, Hearst UK said: “These appointments mark an important step in strengthening Hearst UK’s commercial offering and further enhancing the way we collaborate with partners. Sarah, Joe and Sylvain each bring deep expertise across their respective fields, and their leadership will be integral as we continue to accelerate the delivery of fully integrated solutions that connect brands with our engaged communities.”

The new research reveals queer nightlife is at an existential crossroads – but a new generation is rebuilding it.

The full report is available to download here: https://forms.timeout.com/the-right-to-dance 

The research paints a stark picture of a scene under pressure. 77% of respondents say the number of queer nightlife spaces in their area has decreased, while 82% feel these closures have directly impacted their sense of community. Just 7% say they feel well represented by the spaces that remain.

At the same time, the report highlights a resilient and evolving community – one that continues to show up, adapt and rebuild.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents attend queer nightlife at least monthly, while 90% say they are willing to travel for the right space, music and crowd – underlining the continued importance of these spaces as cultural and social infrastructure.

The Right to Dance makes clear that while queer nightlife continues to evolve, its future depends on greater recognition, funding and protection.

Solomon Thomson, Managing Director of Gay Times, says: “For me, just like for countless others within the community, queer nightlife has log been a vital space for self-expression, identity exploration, connection and existence. This report shows both the urgency of the challenges facing the scene and the resilience of the communities continuing to build it.”

Robson Carter-Browne, Partnerships Manager at Time Out, said: “Queer nightlife has always been a space of resistance and survival – it’s where communities are built, identities are explored and new futures take shape in the face of marginalisation. What this report shows us is that the energy always has been, and always will be there, but the support isn’t keeping up.”

Now in its 46th year, the PPA Awards celebrate the very best businesses, brands, and individuals from across the UK’s publishing sector – recognising the impact of trusted editorial brands in shaping culture, driving engagement, and delivering commercial success. 

This year’s shortlist was selected from more than 260 entries, reviewed by a panel of over 50 industry experts spanning consumer and B2B publishing. 

PPA Awards 2026 Shortlist  

Audio Content of the Year  

• BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast, Immediate  

• Boy Wasted, ENDS Report, Haymarket Media Group  

• EMJ Podcast, European Media Journal  

• Just as Well, Women’s Health, Hearst UK  

• Learn on the go and The Social Work Community Podcast, Community Care, Mark Allen Group  

• The Campaign Podcast, Haymarket Media Group  

• The Netmums podcast, Netmums  

• When Charity Goes Wrong, Third Sector, Haymarket Media Group  
   

Best Digital Product or Service  

• Interactive Headlines, Readly  

• Propolis, B2B Marketing  

• Real Deals, Real Deals Media  

• Saga Magazine website, Saga  

• The Planning Data Dashboard, Haymarket Media Group  

• What to Watch app, Radio Times, Immediate  

• Your Ocean, Marine Conservation Society, Wonderly  

  

Best Use of AI  

• Human-Centred AI, William Reed  

• P3 Technologically Enhanced Results, Haymarket Media Group  

• Propolis, B2B Marketing  

• PRWeek, Haymarket Media Group  

• Risk.net, Infopro Digital Services  

• Unified Intelligence with Miso, William Reed  

• What Car?, Haymarket Automotive  

 
Campaign for Good  

• Climate Smart Food Broadcast Series, William Reed  

• End 1861, Hearst UK  

• Macmillan Mighty Hikes, Macmillan Cancer Support, Our Media  

• Make a Metre Matter, Immediate  

• Me Time Moments, Children’s Magazine Portfolio, Story House Egmont  

• Patient, Presentation, Pathway for Cancer, MIMS Learning, Haymarket Media Group  

• Save Britain’s Family Farms, Farmers Guardian, Agriconnect  

• Women in Series, emap  

  

Commercial Partnership of the Year (Business)  
Sponsored by CLA 

• Autocar & Škoda: A great fit for business, Haymarket Media Group  

• Campaign House, Haymarket Media Group  

• CAMPs, MA Healthcare  

• Design You Can Feel, Dezeen  

• Health & Safety Matters and British Safety Industry Federation, Western Business Media  

• Tate & Lyle, FoodNavigator, William Reed  

• What Car? Vans Channel: Putting Volkswagen vans back on top, Haymarket Media Group  
   

Commercial Partnership of the Year (Consumer)  
Sponsored by PPA Magnetic  

• Esquire and Range Rover, Hearst UK   

• Introducing the MINI Electric family with What Car?’s EV channel, Haymarket Media Group  

• It’s a Woman’s World, Stylist, DC Thomson  

• Matalan and Eliza, Mail Metro Media  

• Peugeot Attitude Pride Awards Europe 2025, Stream Publishing  

• Radio Crimes, Sky and Netflix, Immediate  

• Radio Times Book Club, Dr. Oetker Ristorante, Immediate  

• Share What You Love, LEGO, Immediate  

• Wallpaper* and Rolex Books, Future  

• ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025, Stream Publishing  

  

Community Engagement Award  

• C+D Community, Citeline  

• HistoryExtra social audience, Immediate  

• Propolis Community, B2B Marketing  

• The MadeForMums Club, Immediate  

  

Content Marketing Agency of the Year 

• Automotive Studio, Haymarket Media Group  

• Imagine Studio, Immediate  

• National Geographic Traveller (UK) Branded Content Team, APL Media  

• Pharma Ignite, Citeline  

• Think  

  

Cover of the Year  
Sponsored by NewsTeam  

• Boundless Magazine, Our Media  

• Country Life, Future  

• Gamepop, Red Bull Media House  

• Glamour UK, Condé Nast  

• MadeForMums, Immediate  

• MoneyWeek, Future  

• National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media  

• Radio Times, Immediate  

• Stylist, DC Thomson  

• Work. magazine, Wonderly, Haymarket Media Group  

  

Data Initiative of the Year  

• Building a unified data infrastructure with Databox, APL Media  

• MMIT’s State of Patient Access Report, Citeline  

• The Planning Data Dashboard, Haymarket Media Group  

• Time Out’s Best Cities, Time Out  

  

Designer of the Year  

• Becky Redman, National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media  

• Jessica Andrews-Lockett, Stylist, The Stylist Group  

• Maria Rodriguez, Architects’ Journal, emap  

• Mark Hickling, What on Earth! Magazine  

• Nick Wells, Radio Times, Immediate  

• Paul Frost, Campaign UK, Haymarket Media Group  

  

Digital Changemaker(s) of the Year  

• BBC Science Focus team, Our Media  

• Darcy Giles, Radio Times, Immediate  

• Emily Kilby, William Reed  

• Good Housekeeping newsroom, Hearst UK  

• Paul Doyle, Immediate  

• Ruairidh Pritchard, MadeForMums, Immediate  

  

Digital Publisher of the Year  

• Eliza, Mail Metro Media  

• Real Deals Media  

• The Channel Company  

• William Reed  

  

Diversity & Inclusion Award

• Attitude, Stream Publishing  

• CIPD editorial and events, Haymarket Media Group  

• Focus Pride magazine, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Stark Comms  

• Woman & Diversity in Credit, Credit Strategy, Shard Financial Media  

  

Editor of the Year (Business Media)  
Sponsored by NLA Media Access  

• Alastair McLellan, HSJ Information  

• Emily Booth, The Architects’ Journal, emap  

• Katie Jones, Farmers Guardian, Agriconnect  

• Maisie McCabe, Campaign UK, Haymarket Media Group  

• Sophie Griffiths, TTG Media  

• Tim Burke, Estates Gazette, Mark Allen Group  

  

Editor of the Year (Consumer Media)  

• Daniel Bennett, BBC Science Focus, Our Media  

• Kalpana Fitzpatrick, MoneyWeek.com, Future  

• Louise Robinson, Saga Magazine, Saga  

• Morgan Jeffery, Radio Times, Immediate  

• Pat Riddell, National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media  

• Paul McGuinness, BBC Wildlife, Our Media  

• Sara Ward, Slimming World Magazine, Miles-Bramwell Executive Services  

• Teo van den Broeke, Esquire, Hearst UK  

  

Employer of the Year  

• Haymarket Media Group  

• Hearst UK  

• Immediate  

• Shard Financial Media  

• TTG Media  

  

Event of the Year (Business Media)  
Sponsored by Air Business  

• Design You Can Feel, Dezeen  

• Fire Safety Matters Live Conference & Awards, Western Business Media  

• Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering, emap  

• LGC Awards, Local Government Chronicle, emap  

• Media Production & Technology Show, Media Business Insight  

• Publican Awards, Morning Advertiser, William Reed  

  

Event of the Year (Consumer Media)  
Sponsored by The Brewery  

• ABR Festival, Adventure Bike Rider, Adventurize  

• Chelsea Arts Festival, Country & Town House  

• Peugeot Attitude Pride Awards Europe, Attitude, Stream Publishing  

• Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards powered by Jaguar, Attitude, Stream Publishing  

• woman&home Christmas Live 2025, Future  

  

Industry Partner of the Year  

• Air Business  

• Atlas  

• Frontline Group  

• Ipsos  

• Marketforce  

• Workbooks  

  

Media Brand of the Year (Business Media)  

• CRN, The Channel Company  

• ENDS Report, Haymarket Media Group  

• HSJ Information, HSJ  

• Professional Adviser, Arc Network  

• Property Week, emap  

• The Architects’ Journal, emap  

• The Banker, FT Specialist  

• The Grocer, William Reed  

  

Media Brand of the Year (Consumer Media)  

• Attitude, Stream Publishing  

• Good Food, Immediate  

• Good Housekeeping, Hearst UK  

• Radio Times, Immediate  

• Saga Magazine, Saga  

• The Simple Things, Iceberg Press  

• What Car?, Haymarket Automotive  

• Who What Wear UK, Future  

  

Newsletter of the Year  

• Bartleby, The Economist  

• National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media  

• The Saga Magazine Newsletter, Saga  

• The War Room with Shashank Joshi, The Economist  

  

Special Interest Brand of the Year 

• BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Immediate  

• BBC Wildlife, Our Media  

• Farmers Guardian, Arc Network  

• Gamepop: The Culture of Play, Red Bull House Media  

• Health & Safety Matters, Western Business Media  

• MadeForMums, Immediate  

• National Geographic Little Kids Magazine, Creature & Co.  

• National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media  

• Planning, Haymarket Media Group  

• Rock Sound, whynow  

  

Subscriptions/Marketing Initiative of the Year  

• BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, Immediate  

• From installs to loyalty: A full-funnel subscription takeover with Angela Hartnett, Immediate  

• Project Surprise & Delight, Creature & Co.  

• Q4 Through-the-Line Subscription Growth Campaign, Hearst UK  

• Subscriptions Initiative, HSJ Information  

• Utility Week, Faversham House  

  

Sustainability Initiative of the Year  
Sponsored by Acorn  

• Commercial ReUse Solutions, Frontline Group  

• From Competition to Collaboration: Childrens’ Publishers Unite for the Planet, Immediate  

• Future Icons, Country & Town House  

• Haymarket becomes B Corp Certified Globally, Haymarket Media Group  

  

Team of the Year  
Sponsored by Workbooks  

• CONE Delegate Sales Team, emap  

• Customer & Audience Team, Hearst UK  

• Digital Delivery (Ad Operations) Team, William Reed  

• Digital Marketing Team, William Reed  

• Editorial & Marketing Team, B2B Marketing   

• Editorial Team, Saga Magazine, Saga  

• Emerald Events Team, emap  

• Magazine Team, Slimming World  

• Picture Desk Team, Radio Times, Immediate  

• Publishing Team, Nat Geo Kids & Little Kids Magazine, Creature & Co.  

• Subscriptions, Sales & Marketing Team, Broadcast & BI, Media Business Insight  

  

Tech Partner of the Year  

• Bridged  

• Full Fat Things  

• Merit Data & Technology  

• SmartFrame Technologies  

• Workbooks  

  

Video Content of the Year  

• Guess which outfit is more expensive? Eliza, Mail Metro Media  

• Reinventing the Radio Times interview with Two’s Company and Arcade Hang, Radio Times, Immediate   

• Škoda Elroq stop-motion showcase, Haymarket Media Group  

• The Economist Insider, The Economist  

  

Writer/Columnist of the Year  

• Farida Zeynalova, National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media  

• Helen Edwards, Marketing Week, Haymarket Media Group  

• Jenni Murray, Saga Magazine   

• Mischa Anouk Smith, Marie Claire UK, Future  

Across 30 categories, the Awards recognise excellence and innovation over the past 12 months – from outstanding editors, writers, and commercial leaders, to the creativity, design, digital products, and live experiences that bring publisher brands to life. 

Winners will be revealed at a ceremony held at City Central at the HAC, London, on 17 June 2026. 

The full shortlist can be viewed here and the judging panel can be viewed here. For more information about the PPA Awards and to book tickets, click here.  

With thanks to PPA Strategic partners Air Business, Pensord, ProRata.AI, and Workbooks. And event partners: Acorn, The Brewery, CLA, Evessio, PPA Magnetic, NewsTeam, and NLA Media Access.  

  

The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) has announced the launch of a dedicated Next Gen Stage at this year’s PPA Festival (Wednesday 6 May 2026 in London), creating a new space for emerging talent to learn, connect, and build the skills needed to succeed in publishing today.

New for 2026, the Next Gen Stage is designed for ambitious professionals under the age of 30. The agenda will focus on practical advice, honest conversations, and real-world insight, alongside providing valuable networking opportunities.

Confirmed speakers so far:

• Mike Soutar, Entrepreneur & Advisor
• Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer, Cosmopolitan
• Rachel Richardson, Creator, Highly Flammable Newsletter & previously Editorial Director, Snap
• Shira Jeczmien, CEO, Screenshot Media
• Lisa Smosarski, Managing Director, Stylist
• Laurence Mozafari, Editorial Director – Youth Audience, Reach
• Serena McMahon, Managing Director, Haymarket
• Sean Cornwell, CEO, Immediate
• Sarah Ellis, Sunday Times’ Best-Selling Author

A major highlight of the stage will be ‘You’re Hired: Mike Soutar’s guide to starting a business’. Having built some of the most successful media brands of the past two decades and as a well-known figure from BBC’s The Apprentice, Soutar will share his perspective on what it takes to build a media brand in 2026.

The session will also give aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their own ideas live on stage, offering direct feedback from one of the industry’s most experienced operators.

The agenda also includes:

• How I did it: the gen Z talent reshaping the industry
  A session spotlighting early-career professionals already making an impact, sharing candid insights on what’s worked and what hasn’t.
• The skills you need to make it in the industry today
  A practical session focused on how emerging talent can harness their understanding of audiences, platforms, and formats to build careers and create new opportunities.
• How to learn like a lobster
  Sarah Ellis, the co-founder of Squiggly Careers, will explore how continuous learning can unlock career growth, with all Next Gen Stage delegates receiving a copy of her book.

Sajeeda Merali, CEO PPA commented: “The launch of a dedicated Next Gen Stage at Festival 2026 reflects our commitment to supporting the future leaders of our industry. This is a space designed for ambitious talent to come together, learn from those shaping the sector today, and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to progress their careers. By creating opportunities for open, honest conversations and meaningful networking, we’re helping ensure the next generation is equipped to drive innovation and continued success across trusted editorial brands.”

Julian Linely, Festival Content Producer and Media Consultant added: “The voices that will shape the future of our industry are already out there. We just need to build the structures to welcome them in, invest in their growth, and get out of the way. The Next Gen stage at the PPA Festival exists for exactly that. It’s time to hand over the mic.”

Next Gen tickets include:

• Five dedicated sessions with Gen Z talent and industry leaders.
  
• Networking lunch & afternoon break in the exclusive Next Gen Zone (with tap-to-connect delegate badges).
  
• Access to the opening & closing sessions at PPA Festival.
  
• Ticket to the PPA Festival breakfast, morning networking break, & closing drinks (which includes cocktails, mocktails, & canapés)
  
• Access to watch all PPA Festival sessions on demand, & a post-event pack with resources, discounts, and session summaries.
  
• Digital copy of the 2026 PPA x Enders insight report.
  
• The first 20 bookers will receive a copy of Mike’s new book, ‘Next Gen CEO: 60 Lessons for Leaders in an Uncertain World’. And all attendees will receive a copy of Sarah’s ‘Learn like a Lobster’.

Tickets for the Next Gen Stage are separate from PPA Festival tickets, and sold on a first-come, first-served basis due to very limited availability. Tickets start from £216 per person.

Find out more here.

Empire reveals an exclusive preview issue featuring Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, the highly anticipated new Star Wars film. 

• Newsstand cover: a portrait of the Mandalorian alongside the beloved Grogu, posed on a movie soundstage complete with Grogu’s own director’s chair. 
• Subscriber-exclusive cover: Grogu takes centre stage, playfully holding the film’s clapperboard. 

Following three acclaimed seasons of The Mandalorian on Disney+, this new feature film brings the iconic characters to the big screen for the very first time.  Directed, produced and co-written by Jon Favreau, who launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man, the film marks a major return to the big screen for Star Wars. 

Inside the issue, Empire presents exclusive interviews with Favreau; producer, co-writer and new Lucasfilm co‑CEO Dave Filoni; and stars Pedro Pascal (the Mandalorian), Sigourney Weaver (Colonel Ward), and Jeremy Allen White (Rotta the Hutt). 

Nick de Semlyen, Editor of Empire, said: “We at Empire are thrilled to unveil our first ever photoshoot with Star Wars characters, joining iconic small‑screen heroes the Mandalorian and Grogu as they make their very first movie. Which just so happens to be the first new Star Wars movie in seven years. 

With help from our friends at Disney and Lucasfilm, we managed to catch the iconic bounty hunter and his little green friend in Los Angeles for an incredible day (yes, Grogu is every bit as cute in real life). While inside the issue, we have world‑exclusive interviews with the director and stars of Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, a film poised to bring Star Wars back to cinemas in high style this summer.” 

The May issue of Empire with interviews, imagery and on-set insights for Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, is available on all newsstands from Thursday 12 March, and to purchase online at greatmagazines.co.uk, in both print and digital editions. For more information, visit www.empireonline.com. 

London Review of Books cited CDS Global’s advanced subscription technology, operational transparency, and proven expertise supporting subscription-led publishing organisations as key differentiators in its decision. The evaluation process included stakeholders across commercial, operations, finance, and technology teams.

Reneé Doegar, Publisher, London Review of Books said, “Selecting a new bureau is one of the most critical supplier decisions the LRB makes. We required a partner that is secure, knowledgeable, and collaborative in supporting our long-term objectives. We are delighted to have selected CDS Global and look forward to working together.”

The Essential Mindful Puzzle Book is an inspiring collection of puzzles to help readers build mindfulness into their day. The puzzles will help readers relax, find focus, and boost your energy levels and connect with others.

Articles on mindful practices like breathwork and 60-second stress busters also provide practical advice on how to incorporate mindfulness into everyday life alongside guided journal pages and activities that can help build healthy daily rituals.

The Essential Mindful Puzzle Book includes 100 pages of:

• Puzzles to help build mindful moments into everyday life
• Classic puzzles, as well as interesting twists on others
• Articles with tips on how to practice mindfulness
• Colouring in pages
• Full set of answers

John Simmonds, Publisher (Puzzles), said: “Our Essential Mindful Puzzle Book has been created to help readers pause, breathe and destress, offering simple, practical ways to bring mindfulness into everyday life. This latest addition to our Essential series continues to champion the proven therapeutic and wellbeing benefits of puzzle solving – supporting the research-backed link between puzzles, relaxation and mental health.”

The Essential Mindful Puzzle Book, priced £6.99, is available on newsstands nationwide or to purchase online at GreatMagazines (www.greatmagazines.co.uk).