Progressive Customer Publishing has unveiled one of the biggest business magazine launches of recent years with Economia – the new magazine for accountancy trade body the ICAEW.
The monthly title has a ten-strong editorial team led by Richard Cree, formerly group editor of the Institute of Directors, in addition to a roster of freelance contributors.
The launch issues features an interview with Sir Philip Hampton, the Royal Bank of Scotland chairman who made headlines this week after waiving a £1.4m bonus.
PCP – which like Press Gazette is backed by Progressive Media – won the contract to handle the publishing portfolio of the ICAEW in the summer. The new magazine will go out to 156,000 ICAEW members and students members in the UK and around the world. With student and member titles, PCP will be producing 84 magazine editions a year for the ICAEW as well as a website.
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ICAEW chairman Clive Parrit, speaking at last night's launch party, said: 'A year ago we asked our members what they wanted from a magazine. They told us and Economia is the result…
'Our new magazine is focusing on the bigger issues they face, with the business and financial news that members need to know about build successful businesses.
'Most importantly, day to day editorial independence is outside the ICAEW's control, so they are able to hold us to account as well."
Channel 4 News host and former Financial Times journalist Cathy Newman also spoke at last night's London launch party.
She said: 'Since 2008 and the financial crisis accountants have become more important in terms of standing up to the Fred Goodwins of this world. Cometh the hour, cometh the beancounter and this magazine has caught the zeitgeist.
Launch issue contributors include: New Statesman editor Jason Cowley, Business Secretary Vince Cable and comedian Dominic Holland.
Economia takes its name from the emblem of the ICAEW, a female figure carrying a rod, scales and incorporating a rudder, who has featured in the ICAEW coat of arms since 1881.
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