Aug 2017-
Freelance writer/editor
I write people and places stories for the likes of The Financial Times, Conde Nast Traveller and BBC Travel, and write regularly about startup culture for Courier magazine. I have written for many of the world’s leading inflight magazines, and contributed to coffee table books for Gestalten and Lonely Planet. As an editor, I have consulted on everything from the redesign of Wanderlust magazine to the re-branding and relaunch of Shetland.org and social channels for Promote Shetland. I have also worked in multimedia, producing travel-related video packages for BBC Travel and project-managing The Shetlanders, a video-led series for Promote Shetland which has drawn more than 350,000 Facebook views.
Feb 2019-Dec 2019
Acting features director, Conde Nast Traveller
On a maternity cover, I edited, commissioned and wrote for the Features, Word of Mouth and Staycation sections, among others – shining a light on everything from new wave African photographers to young Jamaican reggae stars, Moroccan surf shapers and the curious modernism of Ricardo Bofill. I worked on both the UK and US editions, coming up with ideas and executing stories from around the world for both print and online.
Sep 2015-Aug 2017
Editorial Director, Ink
I was primarily responsible for pitches and launches at the world’s biggest travel media company, as well as overseeing editorial teams in the London offfice. I led the creative work on winning pitches including Qatar Airways, Etihad and Virgin Atlantic; magazine launches including 1888 for Carl F. Bucherer; and relaunches including Wizz for Wizzair, and American Way and Celebrated Living for American Airlines. I also helped develop the Ink Studio, a new video and multimedia desk at Ink.
Oct 2012-Nov 2015
Launch Editor, N by Norwegian
I was the launch editor of N by Norwegian for Norwegian Air Shuttle, which industry consultant Andy Cowles called “possibly the best airline magazine in the world”. The magazine was the BSME Launch of the Year in 2013, PPA Customer Magazine of the Year in 2015 and APEX Global Inflight Mag of the Year in 2015, as well as being shortlisted for PPA Cover of the Year in 2015. Read about our issue made in Svalbard here, and some more of my thoughts on the magazine here.
Dec 2011-Aug 2012
Editor, Time Out Singapore
In eight months in Singapore, I oversaw a 40 per cent improvement in commercial performance, and upped the quality of the magazine and website, winning the MPAS Consumer Magazine of the Year in 2012.
Oct 2009-Aug 2011
Launch Editor, Time Out Shanghai
As launch editor, I was responsible for setting up the office and hiring a complete team, for both the print magazine and website. We created a smart, dynamic product that became Shanghai’s most respected English-language city magazine for its forensic focus on an amazing city, rather than just expat life. We also put on some great events, from film festivals to indie music nights. Read an external account of our first year here, about the website launch here, and see the current version of the site here.
Aug 2008-Oct 2009
Editor, Time Out Beijing
I took over as Editor at Time Out Beijing after the Olympics, having been Associate Editor. As well as sharpening the focus on Beijing’s thriving local culture, we put out some special issues – from a Time Out 40-year anniversary, in which we had 40 Beijing heroes (including the likes of Ai Weiwei and Zhang Ziyi) on a gate-fold cover; to an Underground issue, which included everything from haunted houses to the joy rider who held the record for racing Beijing’s Fourth Ring Road.
Jun 2005-Aug 2008
Various
Prior to becoming an editor, I was variously: a sports reporter for the Collings and Hayters sports news agencies, and a sportswriter across UK national newspapers; a travel editor at Whatsonwhen.com; and a senior editor at News Views Reviews in Shanghai, the now-defunct Asian answer to The Week. I was also the Shanghai editor for Dazed and Confused’s Satellite Voices website.
Sep 2004-Jun 2005
MA, Magazine Journalism, City University
Whilst attending the country’s leading magazine journalism course, I was named the Press Gazette Student Feature Writer of the Year, and won the Stationer’s Prize for the best piece by a City Uni student (on libraries and reading in British prisons). I’ve been back to City a few times to talk about mag craft and to work with students on the XCity alumni magazine.
Toby Skinner 