Founded in 1951 the Association of Circulation Executives is a free to join trade association bringing together members from the field of newspaper and magazine publishing, wholesaling, distribution, print, marketing services and retailing.
ACE brings its members together regularly on a social basis, whether at the high-profile ACE Newspaper & Magazine Awards, the famous ACE Christmas Lunches, or one of the many less formal occasions run by ACE each year; and offers education programmes tailored to the our profession.
The aims of ACE are to:
- Foster fellowship, friendship, and the exchange of ideas between members of our industry.
- Promote a wider knowledge and understanding of best practice within our industry.
- Act as a forum for the discussion of common issues with all parties concerned with bringing newspaper and magazine brand content to their readership.
- Make working in this vibrant industry fun!
The operations of ACE are governed under a constitution that clarifies our aims and sets a framework for our interaction with the industry
Governing Committee Members
The ACE governing committee is made up from representatives of publishers, wholesalers and distributors.
James Beardow – Chief Operating Officer
I began in the publishing industry over 23 years ago at Dawsons News, before moving on to Menzies Wholesale Management scheme. Throughout my career I’ve had the fortune to work for number of iconic national newspaper publications and magazine brands in a variety of Marketing, Subscription, Digital and Sales managerial roles. I joined News UK in 2014 as Sales & Marketing Manager to support the launch and development of Newssolutions a new commercial venture focusing on commercialising manufacturing, technology and logistics assets. I joined the General Committee in 2016 and was delighted to take on the role of Chair in 2018. Now in the role of C.O.O. I hope to develop further the offering ACE can bring to the Newspaper and Magazine industry
Andy Law
Senior National Account Manager – Mail Newspapers
I first started working in the industry in 2004 when I Joined Lucid Retail. At Lucid I worked across a number of retailers managing their Newspaper and Magazine Category generating sales and revenue growth on their behalf. In 2015 I moved to the publisher side of the market, managing the Independent channel at Mail Newspapers with a keen focus on Home News Delivery and enhancing the Mail’s position within this area.
Since 2018 I have been managing the Retail Trade Marketing team. We are responsible for delivering various initiatives across key retailers in the industry. Identifying sales opportunities that either grow our sales base or maintain our current performance.
I joined the ACE GC in 2019 to help support the fantastic work they do and to encourage industry knowledge and education.
Anya Ahmad
Head of Retail – SmithsNews
I joined the newspaper and magazines industry straight out of University on the Smiths News graduate scheme over 9 years ago, and since then I’ve been lucky enough to do a variety of roles. Early in my career I was the national Account Manager for distributors such as Marketforce and Topps, and since moving to DMD I’ve held a number of roles; managing the UK then European territory and recently taking responsibility for the overarching sales & marketing strategy. DMD are a specialist distributor providing news and magazines to global airlines and offering publisher placement opportunities in high footfall, high net-worth audience locations. It’s been fascinating to work with different markets round the world and see the similarities and differences between our supply chains.
Working for the wholesaler in the supply chain doesn’t often sound like the most glamorous part to be working in but I love the fast paced nature of the business, and the passion and pride with which our teams work to get product on-sale in the right place at the right time.
Having attended the Ace Empower course early in my career, I’m passionate about the work ACE does promoting connections and learning across the industry and I’m excited to be part of the GC and support the great work that ACE do.
James Hill
Senior Director, Consumer Revenue – Hearst UK
I have worked in magazine circulation since 2007, holding a variety of roles with both distributor and publisher across retail and subscription. In 2014 I joined Hearst UK where I now lead the Consumer Revenues team, responsible for circulation and subscription performance across a portfolio of iconic magazine brands.
I feel fortunate to work in this unique, exciting, and fast-paced industry with an incredibly talented team at Hearst, and across our wonderful supply chain partners. I joined the ACE GC in 2020, as I wanted to support and promote our industry whilst helping other colleagues get more out of their careers. During my time on the GC I’ve been involved in the organising of the annual NMA awards, as well as the Empower Programme, where I’ve been hosting the Magazine Publisher modules.
Joanna Edwards
Marketing & Communications Director – FT Specialist, Financial Times
I’ve worked in magazine publishing for 12 years, predominantly on the subscription marketing side of the business but with some work across newsstand. I started my career at Dennis Publishing on The Week magazine before joining the Financial Times in 2012 as Marketing Manager for Investors Chronicle. The remit of my current role, Marketing and Communications Director for FT Specialist, includes generating marketing strategies to drive subscription revenues and support advertising products, as well as internal and external communications planning around product launches and acquisitions.
I joined Ace in February 2022 to work more closely with my peers to solve our shared challenges and ensure the continued success of our exciting and dynamic industry.
Eric Bonham
Client Director – International Group | CDS Global
I have just celebrated 23 years in our exciting industry. My career started with Tower Publishing in Account Management working with clients such as EMAP and Romsey Publishing (later to become Bauer Media and The Chelsea Magazine Company respectively).
During my tenure, Tower Publishing was bought by CDS Global and my journey through Client Relations continued. Time spent as a Client Manager and subsequent Account Director taught me a great deal as our sector was gathering significant pace – gone were the days of taking 4 weeks to set up a Direct Debit and in came the days of instant digital access!
My current position of Client Director allows me to support our wide and varied client base, meet with exciting new business prospects and partners, as well as supporting our Leadership Team to ensure CDS Global continues to adapt and change alongside the wonderful world of Publishing.
As the newest member (March 2021), I am very much looking forward to supporting a fantastic group of like-minded individuals on the GC of ACE.
Leon Benoiton
Head of Newstrade Marketing – Bauer Media/Frontline
I have worked in the magazine industry for over 25 years, covering a variety of roles within Frontline during that time (including Logistics, Wholesale and Newstrade Marketing). I currently head up the Newstrade Marketing team on the Bauer Media portfolio – working on such great brands as Heat, Closer, Grazia, Empire and MCN. My passion for the industry is strong now as it was when I first started all those years ago!
I joined the ACE General Committee in 2016 with a view to making a difference and also to network and collaborate with my colleagues and peers within the industry
Matt Pryce
Commercial Director Global Media Hub
I’ve worked in the world of magazine circulation since 2001 and in this time held senior roles for both publishers and distributors. In 2006 I took a couple of years out to establish and run a chain of sandwich shops but the unique world of publishing quickly drew me back in. Most recently I set up my own business providing magazines and newspapers to the cruise ship industry and shortly after became a shareholder and director of Global Media Hub where we develop bespoke distribution plans for publishers through a extensive network of venues in the UK and overseas. Having been one of the founding member of the NewstrAid KEY group I was keen to join the GC and help with the fantastic work ACE does in this great industry of ours.
Rob Rattley
Head of Retail and Print Subscriptions – Guardian News & Media
I joined the Publishing industry in 2001 coming from a retail management background with John Lewis. I’ve worked in various aspects of circulation starting out in field sales and then working in and leading teams in data & analysis, allocation, wholesale & operations and in recent years revenue & subscriptions.
I’ve been fortunate to work with many brilliant people both at the Guardian and in the industry and have attended many ACE events and training courses along the way.
I look forward to being part of the ACE committee and hopefully contributing to ACE and the great work they do in the industry.
Richard Pickard
Director of Operations – The Telegraph
With a background across the newspaper and supply chain industries, Richard brings extensive experience from The Telegraph, News U.K. and United Parcel Service.
Currently Director of Operations at The Telegraph Richard is a proven leader of multi-disciplinary operational teams.
Richard joined the ACE GC in 2020 and is particularly interested in the future sustainability of the operational supply chain and how to build subscription businesses at scale.
Richard Salsbury
Head of International – Marketforce
My career in circulation started 20 years ago. I have worked in a variety of roles within newsstand distribution both in the UK and in international markets, managing publisher accounts and territory businesses. I now lead the international team at Marketforce.
In my current position I am fortunate to work with a dynamic team of people, with varying levels of tenure in the industry, but all of whom are passionate about their work and successful in finding new ways to drive sales and revenues. Working in a global environment provides great insight into the challenges and opportunities the newsstand faces worldwide. It also allows a unique vantage point to understand how our colleagues in other countries are facing these challenges and opportunities, and how we can adapt these experiences to our own market conditions.
I joined the ACE GC in 2020 to represent the international circulation community, and to support the work ACE does in sharing knowledge, education and best practise across the industry.
Richard Topham
Head of Retail Strategy, News UK
After cutting my teeth in FMCG, I headed for the fastest category around and joined News UK in 2017. I began managing the retail relationships with the UK’s top Grocers on behalf of The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times, and now focus on ensuring readers have access to our print newspapers however they choose to shop, both today and in the future. Collaboration will play an increasingly crucial part in developing the publishing industry, considering the needs of partners across the network and most importantly our readers – to that end, I’m delighted to join the ACE council and support that endeavour through its work and membership.
Steven Dobie
Commercial Manager – Menzies Distribution
I first started working in the newspaper and magazine industry in 2006 and have held a number of roles within Menzies Distribution initially supporting our retail customers and latterly our distributor and publisher customers.
In 2019 I joined the ACE GC to help support their excellent work and having previously completed the Ace Empower program I am keen to encourage learning across the industry.
Gemma Heavens
Account Director – HH&S
I have worked in the world of newspaper and magazine circulation since the start of my career in 2006. My first role was a temporary role with the Daily Mail as a member of their field sales team. This role went permanent and I ended up spending 8 years at Mail Newspapers in various positions within the circulation department. My final role was managing the subscriptions for both the Daily Mail and third party titles before I left in 2014.
After leaving Mail Newspapers I went agency side and joined HH&S in 2014 as an Account Director. At HH&S I am responsible for generating subscriptions marketing initiatives and managing the subscriber journeys for our newspaper and magazine client base.
I was excited to join Ace in March 2022 having been a supporter of what Ace and the work they do for our industry for many years.
Andrew Parkinson
Head of Commercial Services – NewsTeam Group
I could argue I’ve worked in the News industry since I did got my first paper round at 13 years old. In reality it started when I joined the Manchester Evening News in 2004, working on the Direct to Home operation. I was fascinated by the processes of the printed media, and quickly realised how much I enjoyed the industry I had 16 years of experience working in a variety of roles in regional press with some great mentors and dedicated colleagues.
2020 signalled a change in career when I joined NewsTeam Group as the Head of Commercial Services. This has broadened my view of the industry and scope of the clients and products I deal with. I now view the industry through the eyes of a retailer as opposed to the eyes of a publisher, but one thing remains unchanged is the passion I have for all things in print.
I was fortunate to chair the Northern ACE committee in 2023. I joined the GC in 2024, and look forward to continuing to make positive contributions to the industry.