Discover Wildlife

Meet the BBC Wildlife editorial team

Picture of Sophie Stafford Sophie Stafford

Editor

I have been editor of BBC Wildlife Magazine for the past six years. I am passionate about wildlife - with a soft spot for the furry variety. 

I don’t mind getting my hands dirty: I have been known to give badgers enemas in the UK, dart white rhinos in South Africa, wash giant otter poo in the Pantanal, rescue elephants from snares in Zimbabwe, and help buffaloes give birth in Botswana.
 
Wildlife photography is a huge passion of mine and I really enjoy working with our photographers to find the world's best images for the magazine.
 
I have been a judge on our Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition (which we co-own with the Natural History Museum) for the past six years. In 2011, I joined the jury on the nature section of the World Press Photo contest in Amsterdam.
 
Contact Sophie about photographic portfolios, photo-stories, Exposures and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
 
 
Paul Bloomfield 
 
Deputy editor
 
Unsurprisingly, as deputy editor, I do a lot of deputising for the editor, as well as editing various sections of the magazine.
 
I spent many years writing, editing and photographing books, journals and magazines – mostly travel – before returning to my first love: wildlife. I’ve noticed that the most interesting animals often have the most interesting names – aye-aye, slow loris and of course everyone’s favourite: the pink-gilled, sometimes albino salamander, the axolotl.
 
 

 

Ben Hoare

Features editor 

I commission the magazine’s features, as well as the Highlights, book reviews and the TV and radio pages. I wrote and edited natural history books for 12 years before joining BBC Wildlife in 2008.

I'm a well-travelled birder and have finally achieved my ambition to see the world's smallest bird, the delightful bee hummingbird. I am happiest exploring the hills and woods around my home with my wife Louise and dog Lola.

Contact Ben about Wild, features, TV and book reviews.

 

James Fair

Environment editor 

I have worked as a magazine journalist for most of the past 20 years, with a several interruptions during the 1990s to travel and become the mother of an orphaned Andean bear.

These days, my horizons are slightly more limited, my chief concern being how to protect my bantams from foxes and grass snakes.

 Contact James about Agenda (News), travel features and My Wild Life (interviews).

 

 

Sarah McPherson
 
Section editor (part-time)
 
I commission and edit the Photo Masterclass and Q&A sections. When not at work I can usually be found on a slide or in a ball pool with my two-year-old son, Billy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seth Burgess

Production editor 
 
Seth Burgess is the production editor of BBC Wildlife, polishing the text to a bright sheen. When not at work, he enjoys books, films and obsessing over spelling and grammar. His favourite animal is the dimetrodon, followed closely by the domestic cat.
 
Contact Seth to enquire about work experience or freelance sub-editing opportunities.
 
 
 
 
Richard Eccleston
 
Art editor
 
I’m responsible for the look of the magazine. I design the cover and features, commission all photography and art work and oversee the layout of the other editorial pages.
 
Contact Richard to enquire about illustrations commissions or freelance design opportunities.
 
 
 
 
Gaz Nickolls
 
Designer
 
I specialise in colouring in and precise dotted line placement. My favourite animals at the moment are the giant squirrel and the tarsier. I also love making and drinking copious amounts of tea.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wanda Sowry

Picture researcher
I’ve been working for BBC Wildlife Magazine part-time since 1999. I deal with most of the picture research, image rights, credits and payments. I also make wooden automata.
 At the weekends I can sometimes be found photographing insects, flowers and landscapes. Purely amateur photography, but well-keyworded.
 
Please read our advice on submitting photos to BBC Wildlife here before contacting Wanda.
 
 
 
 
Heather McKay

Editorial assistant

I arrange the reviews, website, competitions, giveaways, work experience and the reader photo section for the magazine.
My other interests include cakes, cats and haircuts. 
 
 
Contact Heather if you experience any problems with the website, need help entering our online competitions, including the Photo Contest, or have any questions about entering images in the Your Photos section of the print magazine.
 
 
MARKETING
 
To discuss marketing opportunities or any difficulties you are experiencing with your subscription to BBC Wildlife, please contact:
 
Mark Summerton
Marketing Co-ordinator
 
Tel: 0117 314 8356
Email: marksummerton@bbcmagazines.com
 

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