View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Publishers
  2. Magazines
November 1, 2010

Take a Break editor John Dale resigns after 20 years

By Oliver Luft

John Dale – one of the longest serving national magazine editors – has resigned from his role at the helm of Take a Break, its publisher said today.

H Bauer said that Dale, who has edited the women’s weekly title for more than 20 years, had no plans to retire and instead intended to pursue his own business interests when he leaves the magazine in May.

David Goodchild, managing director of H Bauer, said: “John’s decision is one that I have accepted with sadness but am fully supportive of his reasons.

“John has driven Take a Break to become by far the most successful brand in women’s publishing over the past two decades, winning accolades from his peers along the way.

“I look forward to continuing to work with John over the next few months and wish him every success thereafter.”

Despite seeming to remain relatively low-key, Dale’s Take a Break has become the fourth biggest selling magazine in the UK – and the biggest selling women’s magazine – by eschewing celebrities in favour of offering its readers a winning mix of real life stories and smart grassroots campaigns.

According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations it averaged a weekly sale of 848,843 during the first half of the year, down 7.1 per cent on the same period the previous year but almost twice the sale of either Hello! and OK! magazine.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

Dale joined Take a Break in 1990 – the year it launched – becoming editor later that year. He had previously worked on newspapers including the Daily Mail and The Observer.

Amongst several awards he has won, Dale was named weekly women’s magazine editor of the year at last year’s BSME Awards and has been nominated for the same honour again this year.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network