Peter Weston, editor of Horticulture Week, died suddenly at the weekend, aged 40, from a pulmonary embolism.
Weston first joined Haymarket in 1990 as a sub on medical weekly GP. Four years later, he left to fulfil a life’s ambition of cycling around the coast of Australia. He returned to GP 12 months later and then in 1996 joined Horticulture Week as production editor.
He was promoted to managing editor and in 1999 became editor.
Haymarket Group chairman Lord Heseltine said: “This is shattering news. I knew Pete not only as a great pioneering editor, but as a fellow enthusiast for everything that grows in the garden. He dies at a time when his magazine is enjoying an enormous success. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in the company.”
Business Publications chairman Martin Durham said: “It is a terrible shock and our thoughts go to his family.”
Editorial director Dominic Mills paid tribute to Weston’s achievements at Horticulture Week, which underwent an acclaimed redesign and editorial makeover in July.
“Peter made a terrific difference at the Horticulture Week group. This is a dreadful loss to the industry as well as the magazine.”
Weston leaves a son, Gabriel, aged three, and a partner, Lesley Topp, who is expecting their second child.
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