The A-List: 2008

Born

1st January 1964

Job

Chief executive

Company

National Magazine Company

Work Telephone

+44 (0)20 7439 5139.

Address

72 Broadwick Street, London, W1V 2BP

How do you off-set your carbon footprint?

Personally, I don't, but I do often run or cycle to work. At the office, we have just installed a wormery for the kitchen waste from the Good Housekeeping Institute among a whole range of other measures.

Greatest influence

Frank Bennack, the former chief executive of Hearst.

Clubs

OMT Rugby Club, Finchley Rugby Club, Soho House, George, Solus, Marketing Group of GB.

Favourite gadget

Cannondale R500 Road Bike.

Desert island objects

Fully loaded MP3 player, running shoes and a library.

Most-admired politician

I am a huge fan of Margaret Thatcher. Her record looks more impressive with the passage of time.

Favourite media

The Daily Telegraph, Esquire, 24, Radio 4, runnersworld.com, planetfear.com.

Biggest risk taken

Getting NatMags into weeklies. I'm glad to say it paid off.

Perfect day

Either a) a long walk in the mountains followed by camping by a deserted tarn with a very small flask of scotch, or b) a day on the beach in Greece with family and friends, followed by a long lazy dinner at a seaside Taverna.

Who should play you in the film of your life?

My wife says Kiefer Sutherland, but I suspect that's just her little fantasy.

Career highlights

Right now, I'm most proud of the rebirth of Harper's Bazaar and Esquire.

Fictional hero

Richard Hannay.

Hidden talent

I can (sort of) play the euphonium.

Best job outside advertising

A summer rebuilding a hill-top cottage in North Wales.

Lowdown

Edwards continues to read market trends well. He will have been sad to see the female-oriented digital magazine Jellyfish close in August after a 20-week pilot, and the teen title CosmoGIRL fold after six years of publication. Better news in the male market, though. Men's Health is still jumping off the shelves, and his securing of former Wallpaper* editor, Jeremy Langmead, to revamp Esquire into a stylish male read was a masterstroke.

Most expensive purchase

School fees and holidays. As an object, probably a watch.

Why are you good at what you do?

I try very hard to be consistent and never let things drop.