Holder will be responsible for leading the automotive team across the three brands, which currently serve more than 10 million car buyers and enthusiasts a month online and in print, says Haymarket.
He will work with Editor-in-Chief Steve Cropley in determining the editorial path for the titles as they embark on an ambitious, digitally-led growth strategy built around the goal of delivering the biggest and best qualified car buying and car enthusiast audiences in the market.
“This is a well-deserved promotion for Jim who is not only a superb journalist and leader but also a great colleague,” said Rachael Prasher, Brand Director for Haymarket Automotive. “We have made considerable gains since creating Haymarket Automotive nine months ago, and it is clear our ‘one team’ strategy is working. With an all-new whatcar.com launching this autumn, we see these moves as an opportunity to further accelerate our growth plans, both digitally and in print.”
Cropley added: “These are exciting times for automotive media and I’m delighted to be able to play an active role in determining our future and ensuring that our prominent position in the industry is enhanced in the coming years.”
The move also paves the way for several key promotions among Haymarket Automotive’s editorial team. Matt Burt becomes Autocar Editor, John McIlroy Digital Editor of Autocar and What Car? and Mark Tisshaw Deputy Editor of Autocar and What Car?. They will work alongside Will Nightingale, who remains reviews editor of Autocar and What Car?, and Dan Trent, who will continue to edit PistonHeads. Holder will also continue to edit What Car? magazine. In addition, Tom Webster is promoted to the role of News Editor for Autocar and What Car?.
“Our significant growth in 2015 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of an incredible team,” said Jim. “The giant strides we have made in the past year reflect the hard work and talent that we’re fortunate to have at Haymarket Automotive. This new structure gives us even greater focus on providing our audience with high quality content.”
