Origin Publishing has appointed a new Editor for BBC Wildlife magazine.

 

Sophie Stafford, previously one of the acclaimed title's section editors, becomes its first new editor in almost a quarter of a century. Sophie takes over from Rosamund Kidman Cox, who resigned last month after 23 years in the hot seat.

 

After graduating with a first class degree in Anthropology from University College London, Sophie joined Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) under Professor David Macdonald. She then edited Wildlife of Britain magazine and Mammals UK magazine (published by wildlife charity Mammals Trust UK) before joining BBC Wildlife a year ago as a section editor, mainly concentrating on British wildlife.

 

Says Sophie: "I am delighted to be appointed editor of BBC Wildlife and look forward to the challenge of taking the magazine into a new era, maintaining the high standards our readers have come to expect and continuing to break new ground as the voice of the natural world."

 

Rosamund Kidman Cox said: "Sophie cares about the magazine and its readers and has a passion for the subject. She is also an excellent organiser and team leader. I wish her luck with the challenge ahead."

 

BBC Wildlife magazine is one of three specialist titles, along with BBC Music Magazine and BBC History Magazine, moving to Origin Publishing following its acquisition by BBC Magazines. Bristol-based Origin publishes a dozen consumer titles, including science and technology monthly Focus, along with several customer magazines for organisations such as Waterstone’s and HMV.

 

Says Origin's Chief Executive Kevin Cox: "I'm delighted that Sophie will be taking over the helm of BBC Wildlife magazine. She's a first rate editor and she has outstanding credentials within the wildlife and conservation sectors. She will do a great job in taking the magazine forward."

Notes to Editors:

BBC Magazines is a division of BBC Worldwide Ltd. Its portfolio of nearly 40 regular titles for adults, teenagers and children includes Radio Times - Britain's most profitable magazine.

 

In February 2004, BBC Magazines acquired Origin Publishing - the Bristol-based publisher of 12 quality specialist consumer magazines plus a range of award-winning contract titles - as its specialist arm.

 

BBC Worldwide does not use licence fee income for its activities and re-invests in public service programming. In 2002/2003 BBC Worldwide returned £123 million to the BBC.

BBC WORLDWIDE