Editorial Team
Geoffrey Williams – Deputy Editor
Geoffrey has lived in HAMPSHIRE for 21 years. He joined HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine in 2001, having been an editor at Newsquest and a journalist/editor for the Financial Times. Among his regular freelance work he wrote for The Daily Telegraph for years.
He has written several books, one winning a national award and another a regional award. He has presented TV programmes for BBC and ITV, and undertaken much radio work.
Geoffrey is also fiercely (but fairly) competitive in sport and was lucky enough to compete until he was 48, including motor racing, rowing and hockey, winning a national title and several minor ones in all three. He plays the drums in the pub-rock band Risky Business and a nascent swing band. In the 1970s he was drummer for Acid Farm on the rock circuit!
Geoffrey's aim for HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine is to attain the standard and level it once enjoyed, and then to make it still better: to make the county as proud of its magazine as the magazine is to carry the county coat-of-arms – a perceptive, invigorating and fun read. 'We will always justify being 'the first and the best,'' he says.
Harry – HAMPSHIRE Hog
Harry joined HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine in 2003. Although he does not have any journalist qualifications, Harry knows the county thoroughly, having foraged on farms in every quarter. He also has experience of pannage in the New Forest.
Harry attended Hogsford University, but made a pig's ear of his education. His life went into a bit of a trough, but was then able to turn acorn-er. Coming to HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine has transformed Harry’s life.
"I have become the star of the sty," he said "There-snout I wouldn't do for my readers. Now I've got this opportunity I really intend to fly with the magazine."
Claire Waring - Managing Editor
Managing editor Claire Waring began her editorial career working on the University of Bristol's in-house newspaper and glossy graduate magazine, Nonesuch. She worked for Newsquest's city newspapers in Oxford and its regional titles in the area before focusing on TV writing for a features agency in Bristol. She has worked on a number of regional newspaper titles, including the Gazette and Herald, based in Devizes, and was a feature writer in Devon before returning to Wiltshire to work on the Wiltshire Times, based in Trowbridge, editing a number of its magazines and supplements. These included The Bathonian, a lifestyle magazine for the people of Bath, tourist guides for Bath and Wiltshire and The Country Times. Claire is now managing editor of HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine and relishes the challenges that the job provides. She says she enjoys the job because she gets to meet so many interesting people and because the magazine, with its long history, has such strong support within the county.
Claire White - Associate Editor
After graduating from university Claire White joined A&D Media as company receptionist and subscriptions assistant. With an ambition to write, she soon started providing features for Wiltshire Life and within six months Claire was a permanent member of the editorial team as editorial assistant for both Wiltshire Life and Country magazine, before becoming associate editor of HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine.
During her time with the company Claire has worked across many of the group's publications and is currently editor of Facilities-UK and Hospital Direct as well as providing editorial support on Wiltshire Life and HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine as associate editor.
Fiona Richards – Publisher
Fiona completed her BA (Hons) in Archaeology / Law at the University of Sydney and her PhD at Edinburgh. She has published two books on Egyptian scarab seals and has spent over 20 years digging and travelling throughout the Middle East. Fiona worked at the Opera House in Sydney for seven years enjoying a number of jobs, culminating in assistant functions manager organising weddings, conferences, parties and state dinners that were held at this amazing venue.
Before working for A&D Media, Fiona organised and escorted archaeological tours to both the Middle East and Europe for three years. She joined A&D Media in 2002 and is Publisher of Wiltshire Life, Hampshire, The County Magazine and Carriage Driving Magazine. Fiona organizes the community awards for both Wiltshire Life and Hampshire, The County Magazine and also heads up the highly successful conference division of A&D Media Ltd.
Mark Allen - Editor/Publisher
The publisher and editor of HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine is Mark Allen, an experienced journalist, editor and publisher.
Mr Allen is the previous winner of the Periodical Publishers Association Editor of the Year accolade when the journal he then edited won, in the same year, the Magazine of the Year and the Campaign of the Year. His company publishes a range of business, medical and educational journals.
Advertising Team
Diane Mabbs - Advertising Manager
Diane joined HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine in May 2007. Based near Andover, she covers the north of the county for the magazine. Diane has spent most of her working life in advertising sales, starting with the Southern Evening Echo, the The Auto Trader magazine before joining The Ocean Radio Group shortly after it launched in 1986. Diane spent a total of 12 years working in radio advertising sales in both HAMPSHIRE and Dorset.
Born in Farnborough, bought up on the Isle of Wight, Diane lived for many years in The New Forest before moving to another beautiful part of the county, the Test Valley. The county of HAMPSHIRE is very close to her heart and she finds it a joy working for the county magazine.
Claire Burden - Advertising Manager
Claire joined HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine in August 2008. Born near Manchester and spent most of her childhood in the beautiful, remote island of Anglesey. Having graduated from Bath Spa Uni with a BA Hons degree in Graphic Design and Illustration, Claire fell in love with Bath and decided to stay. Now getting the best of both worlds with her working week being spent in Hampshire. Both of her favourite cities are Bath and Winchester. Claire has spent most of her working life in Media Sales. Between HCM, planning her wedding to fiancé Paul and looking after their new three year old Mastiff, Claire has very little time left over, but when she does there is nothing she enjoys more than holidays in the sun, good food, good wine and friends.
Production Team
Alison Cutler
Alison completed a BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, before joining the company eighteen months ago. Alison redesigned HAMPSHIRE, the county magazine when it was relaunched in October 2007 and has taken over the responsibility for its layout. Alongside her work on the magazine, Alison also designs books for our educational publishing company, Step Forward Ltd.