Binns leaves Future – as Keith returns

Word is leaking out from Future that James Binns is to leave the firm.

His last official day is tomorrow.

Internal staff were informed yesterday afternoon.

Binns leaves after 18 years at the firm, during which time he rose from journalist to editor and then publisher, managing a number of key titles – most recently as head of Edge International.

Meanwhile, Richard Keith is returning to the company as his replacement. He starts immediately as publisher, reporting to group publishing director Simon Maxwell.

The former Future publisher left the firm two years ago to co-found blog network The Games Tribe.

Maxwell said: James has achieved amazing things at Future over the years and he leaves with our thanks and our heartfelt best wishes. He will be greatly missed – he’s a great character as well as being one of the most passionate people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

Happily, I am pleased to be able to appoint Richard to pick up and drive forward these key brands in our Entertainment portfolio. He brings a wealth of experience, a great knowledge of the games market and a track record in the digital space. All of which are essential for our rapid development plans. Future is number one for games magazines globally; has some of the world’s most recognisable digital brands and official partnerships with Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo in either print, online and on console in the UK, US and Australia. That is a position we will build on in 2012.”