This year's last issue of Nature Cell Biology is also the last for Sowmya Swaminathan after nearly 13 years at the journal and 6 years as its chief editor. Under Sowmya's able leadership, the journal has evolved both in terms of content and editorial process. Being receptive to the concerns of the scientific community, she has implemented procedures to improve both the author and reader experience. Among these is the limit we now set on supplementary material published with our papers. She has also taken a strong role in facilitating the transfer of manuscripts between the Nature research journals, in particular to Nature Communications, and more recently in developing ways to provide more specific editorial guidance to authors when invited to revise their paper. Sowmya has also been championing the efforts to tackle the issues discussed above regarding data reporting.

Beyond her contributions to the journal, Sowmya has been a fantastic mentor to the Nature Cell Biology editors, always available to provide guidance and support. The team will miss her thoughtfulness, energy and ability to inspire, but looks forward to continue working with Sowmya in her new position as head of editorial policy for the Nature journals, and wishes her all the best in this new role.

We also take this opportunity to welcome our new chief editor, Alexia-Ileana Zaromytidou, who is well known to the cancer, cytoskeleton and cell adhesion and migration communities.