William Reed UK Brands boss to step down

Hendle will step away from William Reed in August to spend more time with her family and consider new career opportunities. 

During her time with William Reed, Hendle has led and shaped the business’s brands across grocery, manufacturing, hospitality, and retail, including The Grocer, Morning Advertiser, and Retail Week. 

William Reed said Hendle’s “leadership has driven significant brand transformation, audience growth, commercial innovation, and cultural change, ensuring these brands remain authoritative, relevant, and future-focused in a rapidly changing industry”. 

It also noted her external work outside the business, as a “passionate advocate for supporting people across the grocery and wider food industry”, including as a trustee of GroceryAid, steering group member of Grocery Girls, and Farm Africa’s Food For Good initiative. 

“Lorraine leaves behind a strong leadership legacy, high-performing teams, and a portfolio of brands well positioned for continued growth and relevance,” William Reed added. 

Hendle said: “William Reed has been my professional home for nearly three decades, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together. I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding teams and brilliant customers, and of leading brands that genuinely matter to the industry they serve. 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.”

William Reed chief executive Tracy De Groose said: “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.”