The Independent’s features editor Kerry Smith is leaving to edit British Airways’ High Life in-flight magazine.
Smith, 34, is the fifth editor in the title’s 33-year history and is the first woman to fill the position. She takes over from former Loaded editor Scott Manson, who left in November last year after just 11 months in the role.
Smith joined The Independent in 2003 and has previously been deputy editor of both Glamour and the Evening Standard’s Life & Style section.
High Life, published by Cedar Communications, is distributed free on all BA flights worldwide to 216,946 British Airways passengers, a year-onyear rise of 5 per cent, according to the latest ABC figures.
Cedar editorial director Mark Jones said: "The magazine is in excellent shape, but Kerry has some brilliant ideas for taking us to the next level. She will be one of the most influential lifestyle journalists around for some time to come."
Smith said: "I’ve had a wonderful time at The Independent, but the opportunity to be the editor of High Life was too good to miss. It is a fabulous magazine with great writers, beautiful fashion and stylish photography. I am thrilled to be joining it at such an exciting time and look forward to continuing its success."
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