Cooper's previous magazine experience includes stints on Elle and men's title Directions which he edited for over two years following on from current FHM editor Neil Bierbaum.
During Cooper's two year tenure as editor of SL, the magazine enjoyed an award-winning run, including a 2001 Pica Award for Best Youth Magazine. At this year's ceremony, Cooper's team collected five Mondis, the most awarded to a single title in recent years.
Commenting on the news of his appointment to the FHM chair, Cooper pronounced himself "slightly shell-shocked but damn happy to be in charge of the coolest magazine in the country!"
FHM publisher Louis Eksteen affirmed that finding a replacement for Bierbaum was never going to be easy but that Cooper fitted the FHM bill perfectly.
Cooper's appointment was ratified by the Media24 board and FHM UK editorial director James Lawrence who flew out from London to vet Cooper for the position.
Cooper will spend the month of September working alongside FHM incumbent editor Bierbaum and will also go to the magazine's London editorial headquarters as part of his induction process.
