Sarah Fulford, an eight-year veteran of Toronto Life, will become editor of the lifestyle magazine at the end of 2007.

John Macfarlane, who has edited the successful Toronto monthly since 1992, is stepping down, though he will remain with parent company St. Joseph's Media in a consulting role.

Sarah Fulford will become editor of Toronto Life at the end of the year.
(Toronto Life/Canadian Press)

Macfarlane, 65, who also edited the magazine in 1972-3, sits on the board of the Toronto-based Royal Conservatory of Music and said he's interested in joining the boards of directors of public and private ventures.

"I'm looking for new challenges," he told CBC News. "As a result of my 40 years as journalist, I think I have things to contribute."

He said he's been thinking about the decision to step down for a while.

"It's so clear to me that it's time for the magazine to have a new leader," he said. "Magazines do need that. I've done this longer than I ever expected to."

Under his stewardship, Toronto Life won 53 gold and 58 silver National Magazine Awards. 

Fulford said she hoped to continue Toronto Life's "high quality of story-telling" developed under Macfarlane.

Fulford, 33, joined Toronto Life as associate editor in 1999 and was promoted to senior editor in 2003. Prior to Toronto Life, she was assistant editor at the now-defunct magazine Elm Street.

"I'm very lucky, taking on a publication that's healthy and has built a great crew of writing talent," Fulford told CBC News.

"I hope to continue in Macfarlane's tradition."

Fulford said she didn't anticipate making any great changes in the magazine, but there would be a big push to develop its website as consumers are increasingly turning to the web for information about where to eat, where to shop and what to see in their city.

Sharon McAuley, vice-president and group publisher of Toronto Life, said she expects a smooth transition as Fulford and Macfarlane will work together over the next few months to plan issues for 2008.

The magazine will be reflecting Fulford's leadership by about February 2008, she said.

"There is continuity, but given her expertise and energy and ideas, there will inevitably be changes," McAuley said.

"She's got an instinct for the big, juicy stories that get people talking in Toronto."