After four highly successful years, the ACE Ashridge Executive Development Programme will take a break during 2010 and be replaced with a new ACE programme, the Circulation Development Programme PLUS (CDP+). It is intended that the ACE Ashridge programme will return for 2011 and a firm decision will be made in the early Autumn.

The ACE Ashridge Programme has been a revelation within the publishing industry. No fewer than 66 delegates have entered and successfully completed the programme. A number have gone on to enter the Ashridge Diploma which contributes towards the renowned Ashridge MBA. Over the last four years the delegates have worked upon and produced papers on more than a dozen industry related projects which have helped lead to changes within our industry; Home News Delivery and the Sustainability project being two examples.

ACE has recognised however that under the present economic circumstances and in a rapidly changing industry there is a requirement for a new programme to meet the needs of up-and-coming executives within the publishing and distribution sectors and so the CDP+ has been introduced.

For further information on this programme or on any aspect of ACE’s training opportunities do continue to visit this site or contact Christopher Collins, Head of Marketing at chris.collins@acecirculation.com

On Tuesday 10th November over eighty guests from throughout the publishing industry gathered at Ashridge Business School to hear presentations from the 2009 students on the ACE Ashridge Executive Development Programme.

An informal and excellent buffet lunch was followed by an introduction and welcome from Anthony Mitchell – the Ashridge Programme Director – and a welcome from Shona Keith – the Chair of ACE.

Over the last four years sixty-six delegates have attended the programme (supported and sponsored by twenty-four different companies) and have presented on topics ranging from the use of technology in print publishing, to the importance of sustainability in our industry to home delivery and copy management. This years groups presented on equally challenging and topical issues.

The topics this year were on the RETAIL sector on PROMOTING within the publishing industry and that increasingly elusive fellow, THE READER.

Each presentation was thought-provoking and came up with specific and positive recommendations as to a way forward.

Each presentation reflected the enormous time, effort and energy that went into the project work over many months as well as the tremendous contribution made by Ashridge Business School.

Each group and individual should be proud of what they achieved and I commend all ACE members and all ACE website visitors to read the presentations and the conclusions and recommendations.