Meet the team
Claire Waring - Managing editor
In the 30 years that managing editor Claire Waring has lived in Wiltshire the county has held a deep fascination for her, from its film-set villages to its stately homes, its beauty, its people and, yes, even its crop circles.
Claire has been managing editor of Wiltshire Life since 2005. She started working in media at the University of Bristol’s very busy press office. Since then Claire has been a feature writer, sub editor and magazine and supplement editor at a range of newspapers. Magazines edited include The Country Times and The Bathonian.
Claire has also worked for a TV features agency.
In her spare time Claire loves to take her cocker spaniel on the walks that are featured in Wiltshire Life, written by Chris Cole, enjoys visiting the county’s villages and towns and meeting its inspiring people.
Contact Claire Waring on Claire.w@markallengroup.co.uk if you have a story.
Mark Allen - Editor/Publisher
The publisher and editor of Wiltshire Life is Mark Allen, an experienced journalist, editor and publisher. As a Wiltshire resident, he has a special interest in the county and established a second office for his group of companies in Dinton, near Salisbury, in 1994 creating employment for up to 50 local staff.
Mark is the previous winner of the Periodical Publishers Association Editor of the Year accolade, when the journal he then edited won, in the same year, Magazine of the Year and Campaign of the Year. His company publishes a range of business, medical and educational journals.
Jane Reid – Advertisement manager
Jane Reid joined Wiltshire Life in July 2008. Jane concentrates on the marketing of the magazine, through securing advertising and sponsorships.
Prior to working in Wiltshire Jane worked in the tourism industry, predominantly within the cruise market. She has travelled extensively, visiting many exciting destinations from Guatemala to Russia, working for many years as a shore excursion manager for P&O Cruises. Jane worked onboard the original Arcadia, the new Arcadia, Oriana, Aurora, Oceana and the previous Adonia.
After leaving her career at sea Jane ventured to Italy and was based in Venice working as the Adriatic ports manager, developing the excursion programmes within the cruise ships destinations of Trieste, Ravenna and Bari.
Having returned to the UK to her original home, Jane is based at the Wiltshire Life office in Dinton and works on developing Wiltshire Life, concentrating on many projects as well as the excellent Independent School Supplements.
Carolyn Allen - Production manager
Carolyn Allen is the smiling face behind Wiltshire Life’s strong page designs. She has lived in Wiltshire all her life and, after gaining an HND in graphic design, joined A&D Media Ltd in 2002. Carolyn is the very capable production manager for all of A&D Media Ltd’s titles, so has quite a workload.
In her spare time, Carolyn pursues her strong interest in photography and also enjoys taking fitness classes and travelling, especially on city breaks.
Laura Spencer - Advert designer
Laura graduated with a degree in Furniture and Product Design in 2006 from Nottingham Trent University.
Following a trip to Kenya where she helped build houses and springs, and ran orphan groups, Laura joined the production team at A&D Media in 2007. Laura is the capable advert designer for Wiltshire Life, a demanding role, and also works on Land Mobile and Recycling and Waste World. Previously she was responsible for page design of A&D Media’s golfing title, Pro-Shop Europe.
In her spare time Laura organised a team to take part in the Salisbury Spin to Cure Diabetes, spearheading Wiltshire Life‘s fundraising efforts, which resulted in hundreds of pounds being donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.