This is being composed on the early flight to Stuttgart where I have a board meeting later today. I try not to make this blog too Macmillan-centric but for every rule there must be exceptions and this is one.

For those who don't already know we have two new main board directors, Julian Drinkall and Steven Inchcoombe. I won't bore you with reporting lines, structures and responsibilities. That'll come through the normal channels. What they will have to do is fill the enormous gap which will be left by the upcoming retirements of two of the most important people in the history of Macmillan, Geoff Todd and Mike Barnard. These are not household names in the British book trade like Gail or Gillon or Vicky or Caradoc (why are industry celebs by and large known by one name, like Pele or Fangio?) They have, however, contributed as much or more by being at the forefront of introducing modern management to the running of the business - in forecasting, in logistics, in production, in IT. Thank goodness they have also taught us the wisdom of planning ahead and we've allowed a sensible handover period to ensure continuity and the maintenance of Macmillan's culture.

On the publishing side of Macmillan there has never been greater activity. Just a few examples.

We're working literally 24/7 in London and Gurgaon putting the finishing touches to the prototype BookStore which we're launching at Frankfurt. This is an electronic storage and selling vehicle to help publishers and booksellers take advantage of digital information delivery without the risk of losing control of authors' copyright material.

Results are coming in from Spain where it seems we've had our most successful school season ever.

In Mexico our children's books have won more selections for the government school library project and this in spite of the appalling political nonsense going on there - road blocks, demos etc.

We've even managed to publish successfully in Zimbabwe!

At Palgrave Macmillan frantic activity working on two huge projects - the new complete edition of Shakespeare's works with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the new edition of the multi-volume and world-renowned Palgrave Dictionary of Economics.

In Oxford editors and designers are ploughing through the creation of some 500 new titles this year for markets as disparate as Nigeria, Egypt, Russia, and China.

We're working like mad turning our audio business based on CDs into a download business. We've built a podcasting studio in our London office.

At Pan Macmillan, our Picador imprint has a contender on the Booker Prize shortlist for the third year running (the remarkable Mother's Milk by Edward St Aubyn).  This is a tremendous feat, especially considering that we have won the prize for the past two years.  Fingers crossed for a hat trick.

At Nature it seems there's a new initiative every week.

Note to Macmillan people - if you'd like your achievements or initiatives listed send it in as a comment to this blog. Also, corrections welcome.

Note to non-Macmillan people - apologies if this is boring or show-offy but I am really proud of Macmillan and every now and again I want to tell people. Normal service will be resumed.