LONDON, 12 February 2020
The British Society of Magazine Editors (BSME) has announced the appointment of Maria Pieri, editorial director of National Geographic Traveller (UK), as its 2020 chair, succeeding Alex Mead, content director at eric.
Also the editorial director of APL Media, Maria Pieri will be supported by vice chairs Gaby Huddart, editor-in-chief at Good Housekeeping and group editorial director at Hearst Lifestyle, and Laura Rowe, editor of Olive.
Commenting, Maria said: “It’s exciting to be taking on this role at a time of such exponential change in the industry, where we’re seeing how our titles are becoming brand custodians in all media — adapting, thriving and reinventing in print, online and broadcast.

“This is an excellent opportunity to be engaging with talented and forward-thinking individuals to help shape and understand the next steps for our industry: championing diversity and innovation, sharing invaluable experience, and introducing new concepts and real-life case studies. Being agile, responsive, open, and ready to serve are all attributes the BSME can offer as we focus on new skill-sharing and learning opportunities while continuing to celebrate editorial excellence.”
The British Society of Magazine Editors is the only society exclusively for print and digital brand editors and their teams in the UK. The Society’s role is to support, represent and inform editors of all disciplines and its mission statement is ‘Championing Editorial Excellence’ and it acts as a forum for editors to meet, exchange ideas and educate, via industry functions, events and social gatherings. The Society runs an events programme throughout the year, including two highly respected sets of awards: the BSME Talent Awards in June and the BSME Awards, for editors and art directors in November.
For more information please contact:
Juliette McCrimmon
British Society of Magazine Editors
[email protected]
020 8906 4664
www.bsme.com
@bsmeinfo
@bsme_insta
Notes
Maria Pieri is the editorial director for National Geographic Traveller (UK), published under licence by APL Media Limited, a specialist travel and lifestyle content media provider. With over 20 years’ experience in both consumer and trade publishing, Maria is passionate about fostering and developing new talent, creative brand design and innovation, the practical application of new media, and pursuing editorial excellence.
APL Media Limited works across the travel and lifestyle sectors in a number of media, from print through to events. APL Media produces the award-winning National Geographic Traveller (UK), National Geographic Traveller Food, Postcards, Worldwide Destination Guide for ASTA and a series of lifestyle newspaper supplements, apps and websites.
BSME The British Society of Magazine Editors is the only society in the UK exclusively for magazine and website editors and senior editorial staff. The aim of the Society is to represent the needs and views of all editors – providing a strong, clear voice for our industry. Our strapline is ‘Championing Editorial Excellence’.
Members of the Society edit the top consumer, professional and customer magazines and websites across a wide range of markets, including titles as diverse as Guardian Weekend, C+D, GQ and HELLO! The Committee includes the editors of Pulse, Grazia, Which?, Eye, Pulp, Marketing Week and Fabulous.
Event speakers have included Dame Anna Wintour DBE, Joanna Coles and Glenda Bailey OBE. Recent events have included Does A Magazine Need Paper? with Marcus Fairs of Dezeen, Tshepo Mokoena, Editorial Director of VICE.com (UK), Ranj Begley, Managing Director and Chief Content Officer at Readly UK, and Deborah Joseph, Editor-in-Chief at Glamour UK; Making Podcasts Work, with Heat’s Lucie Cave chairing a panel including Empire podcast host Chris Hewitt; David Hepworth, from the A Word In Your Ear podcast; and Jo Elvin, editor of YOU Magazine and co-host of the Is it Just Me? Podcast; and How to Work with Influencers with a panel including health and lifestyle guru Alice Liveing and DJs/presenters The MAC Twins.