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Who we are

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.

1,400

Members

15

Leading Patrons

6

Trustees

16

Governing Committee Members

GOVERNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The ACE governing committee is made up from volunteer representatives of publishers, wholesalers and distributors.

James Beardow

Media consultant

  • More about James

    I began in the publishing industry over 31 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. I continue to support ACE by facilitating a calendar of social events, business meetings and education programmes for the Magazine and Newspaper industry.



Andy Law

Senior National Account

Manager – Mail Newspapers

  • More about Andy

    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 responsible for all things retail as well as print subscriptions at Mail Newspapers. Responsible for delivering various initiatives across key retailers as well as the industry. Identifying sales opportunities that either grow our sales base or maintain our current performance.

    A key driver in bringing HND Month to market in 2023 and also for developing the Mail’s delivery network for subscriptions enabling out readers to organise delivery of their newspaper from their home.

    I joined the ACE GC in 2019 to help support the fantastic work they do and to encourage industry knowledge and education.



Emma Bone

Head of Newstrade - Future



  • More about Emma

    My career started in the industry at COMAG 22 years ago. I held a variety of circulation roles while there working with Import and UK clients before taking a role with Marketforce in 2007.


    Since being at Marketforce I have been lucky to work with a wide range of high-profile UK publishers on their circulation strategies, implementing ideas to maximise volume sales as well as helping to manage costs to ensure profitability. In 2016 a new opportunity arose, and I progressed to Head of New Business and worked for 7 years bringing Independent Publishing Clients into Marketforce. 


    Currently, I lead the Future Circulation Team at Marketforce, working with over 70 market-leading brands. I am responsible for strategically developing and implementing the Future UK Newsstand trade marketing and distribution. I represent the Future UK Circulation portfolio across the Future and Marketforce businesses. 


    I joined the ACE General Committee in November 2024 to represent the UK Circulation community. ACE has always provided networking and education opportunities for me since I joined the trade and I am eager to give back to our exciting and dynamic Industry. I look forward to working collaboratively with peers and colleagues across the industry on the occasions and programmes that ACE works hard to deliver.

Joanna Edwards

Marketing & Communications Director – Financial Times

  • More about Joanna

    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.

Helen Ward

Freelance Marketing Consultant ď»ż

  • More about Helen

    I’ve been in marketing for over 20 years, with most of that time focused on Subscriptions in Publishing. I’ve had the chance to work with some great companies within the industry like Future, Bauer Media, News UK, and most recently, Immediate Media as the Subscriptions Director. 


    My roles have involved everything from shaping subscription strategies and managing budgets to overseeing eCommerce analysing and understanding consumer insights. Plus, I love building and leading high-performing teams that really shine! 


    I joined the ACE GC in early 2022 to support them in their mission to offer more subscriptions content across their events by collaborating closely with my GC peers and maximising our networks across the industry and beyond. 

James Hill

Senior Director, Consumer

Revenue – Hearst UK

  • More about James

    My career in magazine publishing began in 2007 when I joined COMAG as a Marketing Executive. I have since held a variety of customer focused roles across retail, subscription, and partnerships.


    In 2014 I joined Hearst UK where I am now Director of Business Strategy, responsible for circulation and subscription planning and 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 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.

Eric Bonham

Client Director – International

Group | CDS Global

  • More about Eric

    A member of ACE since March 2021 and over 26 years experience 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.

Leon Benoiton

Head of Newstrade Marketing – Bauer Media/Frontline

  • More about Leon

    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

  • More about Matt

    I’ve worked in the world of magazine circulation since 2001 and in this time held senior circulation roles for both publishers and distributors.  I have spent the last ten years specialising in free distribution as Commercial Director of Global Media Hub


    We create bespoke distribution plans for publishers through an extensive network of venues in the UK and overseas. In my role I work with publisher clients and also  constantly develop our network of global distribution opportunities.


    I have been on the ACE GC for x years and thoroughly enjoy working with my industry colleagues to develop the fantastic work ACE does.

Gemma Heavens

Account Director – HH&S

  • More about Gemma

    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

  • More about Andrew

    I could argue I’ve worked in the news industry since I completed 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 of a buzz I got out of the industry.   I enjoyed 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 both my view of the industry and the 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.


Steven Dobie

Strategy Programme Director – Menzies Distribution

  • More about Steven

    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.

Georgia Easteal

Head of Print Strategy & Performance - Guardian News & Media


  • More about Georgia

    Since joining The Guardian in 2015, I have been fortunate enough to work across a range of Guardian consumer products, with a focus on digital reader revenues, marketing and operations. As the Head of Print Strategy and Performance, I am currently responsible for commercial planning and performance for our global print supporter proposition.   


    ACE creates important opportunities for education and collaboration, and I'm excited to work more closely with publishing colleagues from across the industry. As the market continues to shift at an accelerated pace, I look forward to supporting ACE to ensure our newspaper and magazine brands continue to evolve and thrive.

Richard Pickard

Group Director of Operations – The Telegraph

  • More about Richard

    With a background across the newspaper and supply chain industries, Richard brings extensive experience from The Telegraph Media Group (TMG); having previously held senior roles at News UK and United Parcel Service.

    Currently Group Director of Operations at TMG 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.

Selina Rothwell
Senior Retail Business Manager - Smiths News



  • More about Selina

    I began my career in the News & Magazines industry in 2014, joining Smiths News. Over the years, I gained extensive experience working in various areas of wholesale, providing crucial support to numerous retail customers. In 2018, I completed the ACE Empower program, a milestone that propelled my professional growth and leadership skills.

     

    Building on this foundation, I transitioned to the Retail Accounts team in 2020, where I have played a pivotal role in managing key retail partnerships and driving business success. In May 2024, I took on an exciting new challenge by joining the ACE GC, to support the fantastic work they do and encourage the sharing of knowledge and education across the industry.

John Howard

Group Circulation Director - Reach



  • More about John



Our PATRONS

Our Patrons: ACE is only possible through the continued ongoing support from our Patrons, whom ensure that the industry keeps communicating for its wider benefit.

OUR TRUSTEES

Ace are hugely thankful for our Trustees who help steer and oversee the organisation direction, lead with invaluable advice and help us better connect our fantastic industry.

Mylene Sylvestre

Publishing Director - Guardian News & Media

  • More about Mylene

    I started working in the media industry over 25 years ago, moving from Paris to London after graduating. I first joined Seymour as a foreign magazines import manager to join the Guardian 2 years later as International circulation manager, in charge of our newspapers’ European editions, who were then printed all over Europe. After a few years, I became in charge of the Guardian Weekly, a global news weekly magazine too. I then joined the Marketing team for a few years working on some of the most iconic marketing campaigns for the Guardian. 


    Over the last few years, I’ve been in charge of our Publishing department or print division, reformatting and redesigning our newspapers and magazines, growing our print and digital subscriptions and leading a sustainable print strategy for the Guardian and Observer.


    I’ve been a member of the ACE committee since 2018, with a focus on the revamp of our educational and training programme, ACE Empower. More recently, I became a trustee of ACE. I’m also a Newstraid Trustee Board member. I feel passionate about our fascinating industry and the crucial role it plays in society hence my involvement with both organisations.


Leonard Stall

Media Entrepreneur, Writer

and Editor

  • More about Leonard

    I have worked in the magazine industry for over 30 years, covering a variety of roles within Frontline (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 TV Choice, Take a Break, Heat, Grazia, Empire and MCN. My passion for the industry is as strong now as it was when I started back in 1988.

     

    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.

Carola York

Managing Director of FT Specialist Europe

  • More about Carola

    I started in publishing as a graduate trainee at what was then IPC Magazines. My career has since taken me from the UK to Hong Kong and Singapore and back again, working for market-leading organisations including The Economist, EMAP and The Spectator, as well as for Jellyfish where I lead magazine.co.uk, the print magazine subscription website, as well as Pocketmags, creating and selling apps and digital subscriptions.


    I am now Managing Director of FT Specialist and responsible for the commercial success of 9 market-leading brands including The Banker, Investors’ Chronicle, FT Adviser and Sustainable Views.


    As a digital and subscription specialist, I was asked to join ACE’s General Committee in 2015 to support efforts in broadening ACE’s membership and remit. I subsequently moved into the role of Treasurer, then stepped up to be a Trustee and am now Chair of Trustees. I am passionate about the work ACE does in celebrating and sharing best practice, knowledge and education and ensuring our industry continues to thrive.


Frank Straetmans

Chief Executive Officer - Frontline Group


  • More about Frank


Jon Bunting

Chief Executive Officer

Smiths News

  • More about Jon

    Jon joined the Newspaper and Magazines Industry in 1994, initially as a graduate on the W H Smith Graduate Scheme.  30 Years’ later, and for the past 5 years, Jon is the CEO of Smiths News plc.  Over Jon’s 30-year career, he has been in a variety of roles including: Trade Marketing Director, Commercial Director, Chief Commercial Officer, Managing Director and presently CEO.  Perhaps not surprisingly, Jon has been attending ACE events for over 25 years and has supported as a member of the Governing Committee between 2006 – [date], before stepping up to be a Trustee from [date] to the present day.

     

    Outside of work, Jon is a proud father and an incredibly passionate campaigner on behalf of the homeless, setting up his own homeless charity, Pass It on, in 2017 which ACE proudly support.  To date 10,000 homeless people have been helped through the Pass It On charity.

     

    A fanatical Coventry City Support, Jon can often be seen and heard cheering on his Sky Blues!

Jess Burney

Managing Director, Customer Marketing and Subscriptions · Immediate Media Co

  • More about Jess


The operations of ACE are governed under a constitution that clarifies our aims and sets a framework for our interaction with the industry.

ACE Constitution
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