Big Issue names Deputy Editor Steven MacKenzie as new Editor

Wednesday 25 February – Big Issue has appointed its long-standing Deputy Editor Steven MacKenzie as its new Editor.

MacKenzie has been promoted to the editorship after nearly six years as Deputy to departing Editor Paul McNamee, coordinating much of the publication’s day-to-day activity across print and digital. He joined Big Issue as a features writer back in 2012 after working freelance with the magazine since 2008.

MacKenzie will assume the post in March after a transition period with current Editor Paul McNamee, who announced his departure after 19 years with the publication back in January.

Big Issue is published weekly and sold by street vendors across the UK. Selling the magazine offers people in extreme poverty a way to earn an income, buying each copy for £2.50 and selling it for £5.

Since the pandemic, Big Issue has rapidly expanded its online offering, with award-winning social justice and cultural reporting now published daily on bigissue.com.

Big Issue also offers a subscription model, the revenue from which helps fund the production of the magazine and also the training, employability, housing and wellbeing support offered to Big Issue vendors.

Steven MacKenzie said: “Big Issue is one of the most respected publications in the country, with a proud history and a vital role to play in the future. Since starting as a volunteer in the Glasgow Editorial office nearly 15 years ago, I’ve learned what the magazine means to the vendors that sell it and the people who buy it every week.

“Big Issue’s award-winning journalism spans interviews with the biggest names in popular culture to agenda-setting investigations and reporting that not only highlights problems but seeks solutions. Each week we’ll work hard to deliver a magazine our vendors are proud to sell, and our readers trust for insight, entertainment and clarity in challenging times. It’s an honour to step into the Editor role in our milestone 35^th year.”

Russell Blackman, Managing Director of the Big Issue, said: “With over a decade of experience in our newsroom, Steven knows the fabric of Big Issue inside out, understanding the unique lens of our reporting and the distinct character of our brand. He’s ideally placed to take us forward into this next chapter.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Paul McNamee for his near-two-decade long stewardship of our magazine. Big Issue has remained brave, relevant, funny, angry and compassionate under his leadership, and what’s always stood out is Paul’s absolute commitment to the mission of the Big Issue and to the people at the heart of it. That sense of responsibility to vendors and to readers has been unwavering.”