
Adam Leyland
Adam has led The Grocer since 2006. In that time he and his team have picked up a string of awards, as the publication, now celebrating its 160th anniversary, has been transformed into a multi-channel operation, comprising a weekly magazine, a vibrant website, multiple daily and weekly newsletters and a strong social media presence, as well as awards, conferences and webinars.
A well-known figure in the food and drink industry, Adam makes frequent appearances on TV and radio and regularly hosts conferences, webinars and awards. And his knowledge is as broad as the sector itself: from health & obesity, to online and rapid delivery; from sustainability to entrepreneurship; from farm shops and challenger brands, to the giant supermarkets and multinational suppliers.
Above all, Adam is a lifelong 'foodie' and 'winophile'. His love of food and drink – and of seeing and sampling exciting new products, merchandised and prepared in clever and compelling ways – continues to this day. But he is also passionate about the social aspect of food, and has successfully lobbied the government for funding to subsidise food waste redistribution through The Grocer’s award-winning Waste Not Want Not campaign. He has also championed the merits of a balanced diet and common sense in the ongoing debate about obesity.
Adam was voted Editor of the Year at the British Society of Magazine Editors Awards in 2015 and 2009 and his support for great journalism has seen The Grocer pick up a further seven awards under his tenure: BSME writer of the year (three times); BSME web editor of the year; BSME specialist team of the year; and PPA features writer of the year (twice).
In a 35+-year career as a journalist and editor Adam has also interviewed a wide variety of politicians, celebrities and senior business leaders, including Buzz Aldrin, Richie Benaud, Stelios, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Terry Leahy, Sir James Dyson, Lord Sainsbury, Sir Philip Green, David Cameron and the press secretary to US President Bill Clinton.
Other publications he has edited include Real Business, PRWeek (launching the US edition in seven weeks), Press Gazette and PrintWeek. He has also written for the FT, The Times, Sunday Times, The Sunday Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Daily Mail, The Observer, The Independent, The Guardian, The Evening Standard and several business publications including Management Today, Campaign and Marketing.
Adam is married with a son and lives in London.
Contact info
- Tel:
- 01293 610263
- Email:
- adam.leyland@thegrocer.co.uk
- Comment & Opinion
Mandatory health targets are a game-changer for M&A strategy
Food businesses are facing pressure to get healthier from government and major investors
- Comment & Opinion
Why the HFSS promotions ban was never going to work
It’s easy to carp from the sidelines when well-intentioned folk try to effect important change – but the HFSS promotions ban was never going to work.
- Comment & Opinion
Mystery shop win symbolises M&S recovery from cyberattack
M&S is pulling in more punters despite prices 22% higher than the cheapest supermarket. Impressive
- Comment & Opinion
Sainsbury’s has used Moriarty move to streamline senior team
It was never going to be easy for Sainsbury’s to replace Clo Moriarty: hers was a uniquely fashioned job title for a rare talent
- Comment & Opinion
Where do big suppliers stand in revitalised war on plastic?
The Plastics Pact has been revitalised by the united actions of supermarkets. But there’s a massive elephant in the room: where are the big suppliers?
- Comment & Opinion
Keir kibosh of food strategy plans has Boris Johnson hallmarks
It’s clearly not easy reaching a consensus on a national food strategy, but Labour has had plenty of time
- Interviews
How has Tesco changed under Ken Murphy in the past five years?
After winning The Grocer Cup last week, Group CEO Ken Murphy outlines how Tesco has changed in the nearly five years since he took on the role
- News
Media Bites 16 July: Sainsbury’s, Good Food Cycle, ASA, greenwashing, B&M
The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech last night did not trigger many headlines
- Comment & Opinion
Grocer Gold Awards celebrates industry’s inspiration and hard work
The awards recognise the big hitters, as well as the efforts of the hidden heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes
- Comment & Opinion
Darren Blackhurst comeback is latest plot twist in Asda soap opera
If Darren Blackhurst can recreate the spark he brought to Asda all those years ago, it will match anything in Emmerdale
- Comment & Opinion
The Grocer’s first-ever Health Issue: it’s been an education
Snack to the Future: health warnings, babyfood bombshells and cottage cheese. It’s all in our Health Issue
- Interviews
Little Dish’s Hillary Graves: on the right side of the childhood obesity debate
With a ‘clean deck’, low plastic and high growth, Little Dish is reshaping kids’ food for the better
- Comment & Opinion
TikTok needs to start acting like the food retailer it now is
TikTok claims it has ‘policies and processes’ and ‘strict measures’ to ensure the safety of food sold on TikTok Shop. But it’s evidently not enough
- Comment & Opinion
Inflation’s return is good news for discounters and own label
The start of the new financial year has brought an immediate uptick in inflation, with prices rising 4.1% last month
- Comment & Opinion
Border checks relaxation is welcome: now the hard work begins
A skilful game of diplomacy will be required to find allies among EU member states, while Defra must resource its work properly
- Comment & Opinion
Tesco 30% share aim puts different complexion on profit warning
The last time Tesco enjoyed 30% share in UK grocery sales was October 2013. Then the wheels came off
- Comment & Opinion
Three reasons ABF is now talking to Hovis about Kingsmill
There is no guarantee a Best of Both merger will be a success for Kingsmill and Hovis
- Grocer 33
Asda’s inflation-busting prices see off rivals again in price comparison
Asda was exclusively cheapest for nine items, including the blueberries
- Comment & Opinion
This is not just a cyberattack… this is an M&S cyberattack
Whereas other businesses under attack have been able to operate and negotiate out of plain sight, M&S is trying to manage “proactively”
- News
Media Bites 30 April: Amazon, Coca-Cola, M&S cyber hack, Starbucks
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos reportedly received an angry call from US President Donald Trump accusing the online retail giant of a ‘hostile political act’