When I began in this strange industry in the early 1970s it was dominated by men. Women were allowed to take significant roles in children's publishing as their minds were considered 'well tuned to understand children's tastes'. Publicity and rights departments were well stocked with women and there was an occasional brilliant woman editor. By and large, however, management was masculine. That has all changed, thank goodness, and women hold leading and very senior positions across the industry. Two of the big four general publishing houses in Britain have female chief executives (Gail Rebuck at Random House and Victoria Barnsley at HarperCollins). At Macmillan, well over half our divisional directors are women and a number of our overseas companies have women managing directors (e.g. South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Peru, Poland etc). The trend will continue.

The industry has benefitted enormously from this change but it clearly has effects on the women themselves. Here's an interview with Jane Friedman, head of HarperCollins worldwide. A more typical insight into the life of a publishing supermum can be found on this baby juggling blog from Pan Macmillan's e-publishing guru, Sara Lloyd. And here is a great piece from the Girl Frday blog of Clare Christian of the Friday Project.

Next stop on my architectural route to work is the wonderful Harvey Nicks store on Knightsbridge whose real glory is its window displays.

Thanks to Adam who spotted my non-deliberate spelling mistake in yesterday's title (which is now corrected to spare my blushes).

Off to see T. Blair deliver a speech on the creative economy. I can hardly wait.

Finally, I'd like to congratulate Ghana on its celebration of fifty years of independent rule. Macmillan has been publishing specifically for the Ghanaian market since 1965 through its local company, so another eight years before we can celebrate our half century. Greetings to all our team - and have a great day.