FPJ business development manager Tommy Leighton is leaving the company at the end of the month.
Following a long and illustrious career at the publication, Leighton has formed a new PR company, Standfirst UK.
He started as staff journalist in February 1995, became news editor and then editor in May 1998. After spending two years as communications manager of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association - Europe, he returned to FPJ as editor in 2002.
He also worked in the position of managing director and business development manager establishing the Re:fresh Conference and Awards in 2004 and, working with the Fresh Produce Consortium, has fronted what has become the largest annual gathering of the fruit and vegetable industry in the UK and the pre-eminent awards ceremony in the industry.
“I feel extremely lucky to have worked for so long at FPJ, which continues to lead the way in publishing for the fresh produce industry,” Leighton said. “Particularly since the turn of the millennium, we have enjoyed the most successful period in the company’s recent history and it was both exciting and a privilege to be a part of that. This is the right time for me to move on, and I wish the company and its new editor all the very best.
“I have enjoyed immensely my time reporting on this great industry. I have formed a new company, a media relations consultancy and hope to remain involved in the fruit and vegetable trade in some capacity.”
Leighton is also a Fruiterer and has sat on the organising committee of the City Food Lecture for three years.
