One of the most well-liked and respected figures in the Liverpool media and business world, Emma Hill, has died aged 47 leaving family, friends and professional colleagues heartbroken. By Jennie Lewis

 

One of Liverpool’s best-known and loved media figures, Emma Hill, has died aged 47.

Emma’s passing has shocked all who knew her in the local media and business world. As long-time publisher and editor of His & Hers, a fashion and lifestyle magazine, she was one of the best-connected media professionals in the city region.

She leaves behind her mum, Jean, dad, Richard, and brother and sister-in-law John and Steph. Emma was also a proud auntie to Alex and Sophie. She was very close to her family and her social media pages are full of happy occasions, meals out and get-togethers.

Mum Jean, who worked alongside Emma on His & Hers, said: “I loved working with Emma. We had so much fun. I have been overwhelmed with the response from the Liverpool business community.

“Everyone has said how kind and supportive Emma always was. Always willing to help if she possibly could.”

Emma died in hospital on Saturday, February 22, days after collapsing suddenly with an aneurysm. Although her passing is a tragedy to all who knew and loved her, her status as an organ donor will give the gift of life to others.

Close friend and head of marketing and communications at law firm Morecrofts, Rebecca Keegan, added: “Emma was the most beautiful soul. She saw the best in people, and they responded to that.

“She was a model of kindness and empathy and at the same time she had the strength and a resilience necessary to succeed in a business as tough as the media. She was my best friend, my confidante and my inspiration.”

Born and brought up in Wirral, Emma attended Weatherhead High School before moving on to the University of Chester from where she graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Art.

A trained journalist, she initially worked as a reporter for The Chester Standard and later became editor of interior design publication, Concept for Living. She also spent time working as editor of another lifestyle magazine Space.

It was in 2011 when she really spread her wings, launching His & Hers magazine in Liverpool. In an interview in 2017, Emma said: “The biggest challenge when getting the magazine up and running was persuading ad agencies to take a chance on a launch title when so many new magazines fold within the first few months.

“I kept hearing that once the business was a bit more established, brands would be happy to come on board, which is frustrating when you’re on a mission to get a launch edition published.

“Thankfully, a number of big brands, including Malmaison, Topshop, Next and McArthurGlen, were supportive from the very early days, which made a huge difference.”

 

 

Through Emma’s talent and determination – as well as her gift for easily connecting with people from all walks of life – His & Hers became a staple of the Liverpool media scene, as polished and professional as any national publication.

She also took on a number of PR clients. Her main client in recent times was her Novotel Paddington Village, whom she worked very closely with.

Emma was also one of the first people in Liverpool to see the value of blogging, seeing it as an opportunity to “engage more directly with readers”. She was also “influencing” before influencer culture became a thing.

In this business, people can come and go but Emma stayed the course through the toughest of times, later taking the title online to reflect the changing media landscape. She was so often ahead of the curve.

She prospered in this fiercely competitive business because she had integrity. People found her genuine, likeable and, above all, authentic. Every relationship she established was real and not motivated by self-interest.

Among her LinkedIn recommendations was a comment describing her as “a delight to work with”. Another said that Emma’s “professionalism, efficiency and positivity always shines through”.

Her passing leaves us all with a feeling of tremendous sadness but also a real sense that we are incredibly lucky to have known her. Emma was a shining light of kindness, warmth, empathy, strength, resilience and humility. She will be missed.

Emma’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, March 25, at 11am at Landican Chapel in Wirral, followed by a gathering at The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton. All are welcome to attend.