After more than 27 years with Forecourt Trader’s parent William Reed, Lorraine Hendle will step down as managing director, UK brands in August.
The publishing company says that during her tenure Hendle has been a ”defining force in the evolution” of its UK portfolio, ”leading and shaping brands across grocery, manufacturing, hospitality and retail”, including Forecourt Trader, The Grocer, Morning Advertiser and Retail Week.
It says that her leadership has ”driven significant brand transformation, audience growth, commercial innovation, and cultural change, ensuring these brands remain relevant in a rapidly changing industry”.
Hendle has also supported people across the grocery and wider food industry, having served as a trustee of GroceryAid and as a steering group member of Grocery Girls and Farm Africa’s Food For Good initiative. In addition, she has been on the board of the Association of Convenience Stores and Morning Advertiser.
Hendle is looking forward to spending more time with her family, as well as considering new opportunities. She says: ”William Reed has been my professional home for nearly three decades, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together.”
She adds: ”It’s been an honour to have contributed to digital transformation, event creation and navigating fundamental structural change in the media landscape. I wish everyone at William Reed continued success.”
Tracy De Groose, CEO, William Reed, says: “Lorraine has been a defining part of William Reed for almost 30 years, and her impact on our business and our industry has been significant. She has led with passion, creativity and deep customer understanding, helping to build and evolve some of our most important brands. I’m hugely grateful for everything she has given to William Reed, and we all wish her the very best for this next chapter.”
