I'm Mary Appleton, an award-winning editorial director and content strategist, specialising in HR, talent, and the world of work.

With 15 years' publishing experience, I know how to orchestrate content that works. I have spent my career creating thought-provoking editorial for leaders about the future of work, to inspire long-term change.

After a brief stint in marketing for an HR search firm, I joined an HR job board to create their editorial proposition. My ability to create dynamic and progressive content was instrumental in building a loyal community of 50,000+ senior professionals, eager to develop their insights on trends impacting work. This paved the way to launch a new industry magazine which gained recognition as a multi-award-winning publication.

Alongside this, I helped global clients articulate their message via contract publishing, thought leadership, research, events and content marketing. Including: AMS, London Business School, Duke Corporate Education, Heidrick & Struggles, IBM, Barclays, Workday, KPMG, 
Saïd Business School & the Arabian Society of HR Management (ASHRM).

My network is my greatest asset: I have an outstanding contacts book of C-suite leaders, leading-edge thinkers, contributors and PRs. 

I pride myself on my editorial integrity and am hugely values-driven. My passion for social impact, particularly inclusion and equality of opportunity, comes from my own lived experiences (more on that soon). I speak in schools to help raise awareness of different career pathways.

Favourite things include the em-dash, musical theatre, hot yoga and copious cups of Yorkshire tea. I'm less fond of rogue apostrophes, condiments, and people who think working flexibly is picking the kids up once a week.

After living in London for 15 years, in 2020 I returned to my native Yorkshire, where I am currently settled with my husband and children, striving to embrace everything the Wolds has to offer. 

"Good journalism is the ability to reduce complex stories to their essence so a wider audience can relate to them. Mary has this quality in abundance - she is one of the best"

Helmut Schuster, former global HR director, BP