Clare Howcutt-Kelly, a journalist with more than 20 years’ experience, is taking over from Eric Bignell as Editor of Natural Stone Specialist magazine, the stonespecialist.com website, the emailed Natural Stone Bulletin, and the related social media platforms.

Eric Bignell, who has Edited Natural Stone Specialist for 30 years, is retiring.

Clare has always enjoyed architecture and during her journalistic career has held positions at some of the UK’s largest publishing companies – including the BBC and Bauer Media.

She brings a wealth of experience to the role of Editor, including digital and video expertise that she will use to enhance the digital presence of the Natural Stone Specialist offering and keep the industry on top of events that affect it.

Clare says: “I’ve always loved architecture and the practicality of constructing and maintaining the built environment. When I find a building that intrigues me I become almost obsessive about researching it, finding out who designed it, where the materials came from and who lived in it. Buildings are the keystones of our society.

“My first week with Natural Stone Specialist was spent at the Natural Stone Show in London and I felt completely inspired by the exciting developments taking place. The enthusiasm from the exhibitors and visitors was contagious." 

You can see Clare talking to some of the exhibitors and visitors at the Natural Stone Show + Hard Surfaces exhibitions in London in the video below.

Clare continued: “I would like to thank Eric and Richard Bradbury, the Managing Director of QMJ Group, which publishes Natural Stone Specialist and owns the Stone Show, for welcoming me so warmly. I wish Eric all the best for his retirement.”

Eric is stepping down as Editor at the end of July, although he will remain in a consultancy capacity. Welcoming Clare as his successor he says: “After 30 years of reporting on the stone industry in Natural Stone Specialist magazine I am retiring and handing over the camera and notebook to Clare Howcutt-Kelly – who will instantly bin them in favour of videos and electrical voice recorders, because she has a handle on information technology that I don’t. It’s one of the reasons I feel it’s time to step aside. Communication has become fast and digital and the Stone Bulletin and social media these days play a bigger part of the service to the stone industry that Natural Stone Specialist offers.

“It’s a great industry to have been involved in – fascinating, ever changing and always delivering beautiful architecture, interiors, landscapes, conservation work, extensions, public art and stone memorials. It gets into your blood.

“It has been a pleasure to be involved with the industry and a joy to have known the people in it that I have met over the years. I’m sure Clare will enjoy it just as much as I have.”