Nichola Browne, editor of Kerrang! magazine, is to step down after just over 18 months in the role.
Publisher Bauer Media said today that Browne, who took over as editor of Kerrang! in August, 2009, took the decision earlier this month to stand down to pursue other projects and freelance opportunities.
Before being appointed editor, Browne was features editor of Bauer’s rock music title after joining Kerrang! in 2003 as news editor.
She joined Emap’s consumer magazine operation, which was bought by Bauer four years ago, through its journalism traineeship scheme in 1999. Her first her first editorial position was as staff writer on J-17 before moving onto Kerrang.
Under Browne’s stewardship Kerrang! bucked the general downward circulation trend. According to the most recent figures available, the magazine increased its readership 4.5 per cent year on year to an average sale of 44,013 during the second half of last year.
Finding a replacement for Browne will be one of the first tasks for Mojo editor-in-chief Phil Alexander who has been appointed to the newly created role of associate publisher on Bauer’s music brands.
Alexander will perform both roles, reporting to Rimi Atwal, publishing director of Bauer Media’s music brands.
Atwal said: ‘Nichola is a talented editor who leaves the UK’s loudest and most exciting music weekly in great shape with a bright future.
‘She has built a solid editorial team who I am sure will continue to make Kerrang! bigger, bolder and better than ever.
‘We wish her every success and also to Phil in his new role.”
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