Business

Leading magazine publisher James Greer honoured for charitable work

Publishers James and Gladys Greer receive the Hall of Fame award from GroceryAid chief executive Steve Barnes (left) in recognition of their years of service to the charity through Ulster Grocer magazine
Publishers James and Gladys Greer receive the Hall of Fame award from GroceryAid chief executive Steve Barnes (left) in recognition of their years of service to the charity through Ulster Grocer magazine Publishers James and Gladys Greer receive the Hall of Fame award from GroceryAid chief executive Steve Barnes (left) in recognition of their years of service to the charity through Ulster Grocer magazine

THE former publisher of Ulster Grocer magazine has been inducted into the prestigious GroceryAid Hall of Fame, the charity's way of recognising committed volunteers from across the UK.

James Greer and his wife Gladys, who own the Greer Publications Group in Lisburn, had been involved with the Ulster Grocers' Ball for more than two decades, an event which raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

At the Diamond Ball in the London Hilton on Park Lane Hotel, attended by more than 600 key people from across the UK food industry, James was formally inducted into the GroceryAid Hall of Fame alongside eight others.

"Without the contribution of such committed individuals, who have given their time for at least 10 years to help the charity in its work, GroceryAid would not be as healthy as it is today," the citation for James said.

Greer Publications was set up in 1982 by husband and wife James and Gladys Greer when they launched all-Ireland motoring and motor sport magazine CarSport.

Last March four key titles within their group - Ulster Business, Ulster Grocer, Hospitality Review NI and Northern Woman - were acquired by Belfast Telegraph parent firm Independent News & Media.

But Greer Publications still operates a number of trade and consumer magazines including CarSport, Garage Trader and Specify.

The Diamond Ball was a huge success, itself raising more than £235,000. It was attended by key industry figures with the welcome speech given by president of the fundraising committee, Andrew Moore, chief merchandising officer at Asda.

GroceryAid, the trading name of the National Grocers' Benevolent Fund, is the charity for the grocery industry (www.groceryaid.org.uk).

From the largest factory, to the supply chain, and through to the smallest of stores, GroceryAid helps thousands of grocery people all over the UK who have worked, or are working, and who need some extra support to get by.

In the coming year it will spend more than £4.3 million on welfare support, both financially and through the GroceryAid Helpline (08088 021122).