Hearst Corporation very sadly announces the news that Terry Mansfield has passed away.
It is just a year since Hearst celebrated Terry’s extraordinary 50 years with the company. His contribution over that half century has been immense. He was Managing Director for 20 of those years and was a hugely influential leader within the wider global business too.
Terry’s story is incredibly inspirational. He started in this industry as a 16 year old office boy at an advertising agency and, after a military service, he joined Condê Nast in London, where he worked on a number of titles before becoming advertisement manager of Queen magazine.
In 1969, he joined Hearst UK (then known as The National Magazine Company, ‘NatMags’) as advertisement manager of Harper’s Bazaar. In 1975 he became publisher of the merged Harpers & Queen and, in 1980, was appointed Deputy Managing Director. Two years later, he became Managing Director of NatMags.
Terry never stopped working and, during the 18 years since he stepped down from his executive duties to become a valued consultant for Hearst, he also did so much to support UK charities and organisations. For example, Terry was a founding member of Victim Support and, with the Princess Royal, changed the law to protect the rights of victims in court. He was a major fundraiser for Historic Royal Palaces and last year received an award for his work in raising funds for the Diana Princess of Wales Exhibition and the Children’s Playground at Hampton Court Palace. Terry held such varied positions such as Chairman of Music of Black Origin – MOBO Awards for 5 years, Chairman of Graduate Fashion for 10 years, and Chairman of Arts Thread, championing the fashion talent of the future.
He also dedicated time to the Shine Awards, the schools’ magazine awards for over 1000 schools in the UK, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Lancashire University for his work in fashion and for championing talent. And, to add to this list of selfless contributions, Terry was also the Chairman and patron of World Heart Beat, a music school for underprivileged children in South London.
For the many industry colleagues who had the pleasure to work with Terry, they will remember him as passionate about talent: finding talent, supporting talent, and guiding and pushing people to be their very best. He was absolutely committed to Hearst and never tired of championing the organsiation. Hearst will miss Terry greatly.
DRAFTED FROM A NOTE ISSUED BY JAMES WILDMAN CEO OF HEARST CORPORATION