Integral members of the editorial team, both Sarah and Gillian have been key to the success of Refinery29’s first international edition, headquartered in London, since its launch in 2015, say the publishers.
As the newly appointed Content Director, Gillian will wear many hats, managing the editorial team, writing and reviewing content as well as amplifying the impact of Refinery29’s content outside of the digital media company’s ecosystem. Sarah, in her new role as Editor at Large, will be focusing on features and special projects, while continuing to have a voice in various aspects of the business including art & design, strategy, tentpoles and other editorial initiatives.
Both Gillian and Sarah have spearheaded editorial projects over the past year that speak to Refinery29’s female audience: these include ‘Stop Skirting The Issue’, a campaign pushing for upskirt photography to be classed as a sexual offence, and ‘Rag Week’, an on-site takeover on Refinery29.uk that addresses the taboos and poor media coverage surrounding periods.
“In their elevated positions at Refinery29, Sarah, as Editor at Large, and Gillian, as Content Director, will continue to shape the UK team’s editorial voice, driving coverage across all sectors,” said Christene Barberich, Co-Founder and Global Editor-in-Chief, Refinery29. “Channeling their vast experience and industry knowledge, they both truly understand Refinery29’s core mission and will, at the editorial helm, further inspire our readers, fueling creativity and constant conversation in the process.”
Gillian was part of the Refinery29 team upon launch in the UK, coming in as Features Editor, having previously worked at The Independent as an Arts & Features Writer. Earlier on in her career, she also worked for MTV in London. Prior to joining Refinery29 in 2015 as Editorial Director, Sarah was Acting Editor of i-D, part of VICE Media, as well as writing for publications including the Guardian and British Photography Journal.
Refinery29 has established itself as a leading brand for millennial-minded women with a global audience footprint of 550 million across all platforms, and European offices in both the UK and Germany, say the publishers.
