Passionate about professional support.

Editorial Office was incorporated in 2003 by Alice Ellingham and Gill Smith.

Editorial Office has grown and adapted in line with the development of peer review and online journal submissions systems. We are passionate about future-proofing our role in the publishing sector, working to help you as we continue to improve and streamline processes, as well as utilise new submission platforms and the latest technologies.

Over 20 years after launch, with cumulative decades of experience within our team, we currently work with over 100 peer reviewed journals across more than 30 publishers and societies in UK, USA and Australasia.

Our team of over 130 staff and freelancers work together to offer you a time-saving, knowledgeable and professional service.

How we work

Meet the directors.

I am passionate about the challenges that academic publishing brings

Alice Ellingham.Director

With a publishing career of over 35 years, I am still passionate about the challenges that academic publishing brings. With a data-crunching mindset and experience across many journals and systems, my expertise lies in working with our partners to ensure that their peer review is run as effectively as possible.

I’m also a co-developer for Carina Workflow Intelligence, providing our partners with access to transparent task-timing data, to enable evidence-based process changes and developing AI support systems for peer review processes.

Areas of expertise

Data analysis
Streamlining peer review processes
Technology development

Memberships

I am a member of ALPSP, CSE and COPE, plus a founding member of the ISMTE.

Alice Ellingham.Director

I am passionate about the challenges that academic publishing brings

With a publishing career of over 35 years, I am still passionate about the challenges that academic publishing brings. With a data-crunching mindset and experience across many journals and systems, my expertise lies in working with our partners to ensure that their peer review is run as effectively as possible.

I’m also a co-developer for Carina Workflow Intelligence, providing our partners with access to transparent task-timing data, to enable evidence-based process changes and developing AI support systems for peer review processes.

Areas of expertise

Data analysis
Streamlining peer review processes
Technology development

Memberships

I am a member of ALPSP, CSE and COPE, plus a founding member of the ISMTE.

I pride myself on providing our partners with reassuring guidance.

Gill Smith.Director

During the past 20 years, I have been very privileged to have worked with hundreds of journals and the majority of peer review systems.

Be it short term cover or a long term placement, I pride myself on providing our partners with a clear path, reassuring guidance and a professional approach to managing their workflow. I am the senior point of contact for many of our society contracts and enjoy working closely with them and seeing them develop.

Each journal, editor, board member, reviewer and author relies on the competence and integrity of their editorial administration and this ethos is at the root of our training and is instilled in our team.

I very much enjoy working to build solid relationships, ensuring that each partner receives the service that best suits their requirements.

Areas of expertise

Onboarding society journals
Identifying workflow problems and finding solutions
Building relationships and providing excellent customer service

Memberships

I am a member of ALPSP, CSE and COPE.

Gill Smith.Director

I pride myself on providing our partners with reassuring guidance.

During the past 20 years, I have been very privileged to have worked with hundreds of journals and the majority of peer review systems.

Be it short term cover or a long term placement, I pride myself on providing our partners with a clear path, reassuring guidance and a professional approach to managing their workflow. I am the senior point of contact for many of our society contracts and enjoy working closely with them and seeing them develop.

Each journal, editor, board member, reviewer and author relies on the competence and integrity of their editorial administration and this ethos is at the root of our training and is instilled in our team.

I very much enjoy working to build solid relationships, ensuring that each partner receives the service that best suits their requirements.

Areas of expertise

Onboarding society journals
Identifying workflow problems and finding solutions
Building relationships and providing excellent customer service

Memberships

I am a member of ALPSP, CSE and COPE.

I love creating workflows and processes that serve authors, editors and reviewers first.

Elizabeth Hay.Associate Director

Having worked for learned societies and Medical Royal Colleges since 2008, I joined Editorial Office Ltd in 2023.

Throughout my career, I have prided myself on creating workflows and processes that serve authors, editors and reviewers first. The service an editorial team can provide is critical to the success of any journal, whatever its size. This means having a team that is knowledgeable, adaptable, professional and approachable to all stakeholders across their various stages of career and publishing experience.

I strive for data driven action, applying learning as I go. I’m also dedicated to improving access, communication and dissemination of research, and helping authors have this in mind when publishing. I have managed and overseen many changes in publishing over the years – both for how these changes affect publishing programmes but also the impact on the society as a membership organisation.

I’m a keen innovator and lateral thinker, who enjoys coming up with creative solutions to challenges and opportunities as and when they arise.

Areas of expertise

Improving access to research and its dissemination
Innovative improvements to workflows and processes
Experience with many learned societies and Medical Royal Colleges

Elizabeth Hay.Associate Director

I love creating workflows and processes that serve authors, editors and reviewers first.

Having worked for learned societies and Medical Royal Colleges since 2008, I joined Editorial Office Ltd in 2023.

Throughout my career, I have prided myself on creating workflows and processes that serve authors, editors and reviewers first. The service an editorial team can provide is critical to the success of any journal, whatever its size. This means having a team that is knowledgeable, adaptable, professional and approachable to all stakeholders across their various stages of career and publishing experience.

I strive for data driven action, applying learning as I go. I’m also dedicated to improving access, communication and dissemination of research, and helping authors have this in mind when publishing. I have managed and overseen many changes in publishing over the years – both for how these changes affect publishing programmes but also the impact on the society as a membership organisation.

I’m a keen innovator and lateral thinker, who enjoys coming up with creative solutions to challenges and opportunities as and when they arise.

Areas of expertise

Improving access to research and its dissemination
Innovative improvements to workflows and processes
Experience with many learned societies and Medical Royal Colleges

Our team.

Sheila Irwin.Scientific Lead

My first role with EOL was as a freelancer Editorial Assistant in March 2012 before moving to their scientific team in 2015. I joined the permanent team as Scientific Lead in November 2021.

My background has involved working in a variety of fields within research and manufacturing for the NHS before transferring into industrial sectors of science. This quality assurance background enables me to bring both methodical and analytical skills to my role.

My role in EOL is to manage our scientific team, ensuring highest scientific standard and best practice across all our partnerships.

Areas of expertise:

Sourcing and securing reviewers
Initial training and continuing develop of our team
Resource planning across our scientific partners

Tracy Ronan.Senior Editorial Account Manager

I joined Editorial Office in 2010 and very much enjoy a varied role and managing large volume journals (in both submission areas and inboxes) through to the full managing editor role. In 2025, I was delighted to be promoted to Senior Editorial Account Manager.

I relish the opportunity to develop my role further, whilst delivering a high standard of service to authors, academic editors and reviewers internationally.

Areas of expertise

Managing and balancing freelancer resource
Accuracy and eye for details
Maintaining high standards of service

Annette Butler.Editorial Account Manager

Having worked with Editorial Office since 2009, I became a full-time editorial assistant in 2013.

I am currently working with a number of large society journals, using a combination of ScholarOne Manuscripts and Editorial Manager. I believe that my experience across several journals, and using the different submission systems, has enabled me to provide an excellent service.

I enjoy the variety my role provides and the ability to work with people from all walks of life from across the world.

Areas of Expertise

Customer relationship management
System knowledge and solutions
Adaptability to the changing world of publishing

Nicky Cotterill.Editorial Account Manager

My role within Editorial Office has grown and changed since I joined in 2004.

I work closely with several large society journals and, with my colleagues, aim to provide the very best editorial service possible to all, by utilising my experience and sharing this knowledge with my team.

I pride myself in taking time to build lasting, good relationships with the journal teams and I embrace every opportunity to improve this relationship.

Areas of expertise

Large society journals
Building long-lasting relationships
Providing expert editorial services

Kasia Jooste.Editorial Account Manager

After 14 years of working as a Freelance Editorial Assistant, in February 2025, I started as Editorial Account Manager.

My understanding of the peer review process and in-depth knowledge of manuscript submission systems allows me to assist authors, editors, and reviewers at every stage of peer review. I also provide advice to the team of freelancers.

I am passionate about helping others, ensuring that the process runs efficiently, and that an excellent editorial service is delivered to every client.

Areas of expertise

In-depth knowledge of submission systems
Delivering an excellent editorial service
Supporting the freelance team

Sue Taylor.Editorial Account Manager

I began working with Editorial Office in March 2011. My role has developed and my skills have enhanced as I have worked with a variety of journals and submission systems.

Each journal is very individual and I believe the service they receive should reflect their individuality. The experience I have built dealing with authors, reviewers, editors and partners enables me to carry out my role with confidence. I enjoy developing a close working relationship with our partners to ensure they receive the best customer experience.

Areas of expertise

Submission systems – eJP, ScholarOne and Editorial Manager
Process improvement
Individual client liaison

Jane Skelton.Editorial Account Manager

I have worked with Editorial Office firstly as a freelancer Editorial Assistant in March 2013. I joined the Scientific Team in 2017, and then, in April 2025 I became an Editorial Account Manager.

My knowledge of submission systems, working across multiple journals, has enabled me to provide excellent editorial support to authors, editors, reviewers and my colleagues.

I am thrilled to work with a talented team and to utilise my experience and knowledge to ensure that EO continues to provide expert editorial services to its customers.

Areas of expertise

Sourcing and securing reviewers
In-depth knowledge of submission systems
Supporting the freelance team

Wendy Tilley.Editorial Account Manager

I joined Editorial Office in 2012. I have obtained a wide knowledge of editorial experience working for both large and small journals, including many society journals.

My skill set, using Scholar One and Editorial Manager, allows me to provide short term/short notice assistance to my colleagues and our partners, as required. Working within Editorial Office has given me the opportunity to work with a vast array of journals, editors and reviewers, on a varied range of subjects. I pride myself on establishing and building close customer relationships from the beginning of the partnership.

Areas of expertise

Submission systems – Scholar One and Editorial Manager
Customer relationships
Adaptability to new challenges

Johanna Charlton.Editorial Assistant

I joined the Editorial Office team as an Editorial Assistant in May 2024, with over 10 years of freelancing experience.

In my current role, I work closely with the team and provide support to various journals, gaining experience and knowledge of the peer review process.

I am continuously learning and gaining insights into all areas of editorial work.

Areas of expertise

Expert peer review system knowledge
Team support
Customer service

Our freelance team.Over 130 experienced and highly trained freelancers

We have teams of freelancers across the country, as well as in Hungary and India, who are customer focussed, extensively trained and completely professional.

Our Editorial Assistants, with the support of our directors, ensure we have a dedicated team who are available to meet your requirements.

How our teams are different

Includes life science specialists, educated to degree-level and beyond
Flexibility to increase and decrease capacity to meet your changing needs.
7 day a week availability

Passionate about peer review.

Learn more about our teams and the skills they can offer you.

How we work