Andrea Thompson, BSME Chair 2025 (Photo: David Cotter)
The British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME) has announced the appointment of Andrea Thompson, editor-in-chief at Marie Claire, as its 2025 chair, succeeding Gideon Spanier, UK editor-in-chief at Campaign.
Andrea will be supported by vice-chairs Dan Green, editor, The Week Junior Science+Nature, Cliff Joannou, editor-in-chief, attitude and Rolling Stone UK and Laurence Mozafari, editorial director. Chris Lupton, creative director at Empire has taken on the role of executive creative director: design & innovation.
Together they lead the committee of up to 18 leading British digital and print magazine editors, editorial directors and art directors who run the society, judge its journalism awards and plan its annual programme of events. Gideon Spanier will remain within the committee.
Andrea Thompson said: "I'm delighted to be named as chair of the British Society of Magazine Editors for 2025, an organisation that has championed editorial excellence for 46 years. We are at a critical point for our industry. New technologies and a rapidly changing media landscape bring exciting opportunities to evolve and engage with new audiences in innovative ways across multiple platforms. However, the need to adequately fund, safeguard and support quality trusted journalism has never been more important. I look forward to bringing my 20 years experience as a newspaper and magazine journalist across print and digital media to the committee, and sharing some of my learnings since taking over as editor-in-chief of Marie Claire 5 years ago to lead it as a digital-first brand.
My priorities for the society will be innovating to attract new members, as well as supporting existing ones through inspiring agenda-setting events, panels and expert masterclasses that address the genuine day-to-day challenges of our jobs. A key focus will also be addressing the deep-seated issues with diversity in our industry. In a climate where so many DEI programmes are under threat, it's vital that the BSME and our industry is somewhere talented journalists – from all backgrounds – feel is inclusive, representative of society and allows them to thrive as themselves.
I want to thank my brilliant predecessor Gideon Spanier for all his hard work last year, I'm also excited to welcome Dan Green, Cliff Joannou and Laurence Mozafari as vice chairs for 2025 - all brilliant editors and journalists who each bring unique skills, and a passion for excellence and innovation. I can't wait to begin working with them."
Andrea Thompson, editor-in-chief, Marie Claire
You can reach Andrea at: chair@bsme.com or @andreacanwrite
