1. The Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors (ACSeS) is certainly pulling out all the stops when it comes to leadership development in local government as the President of ACSeS turns his attention to growing the local authority chief executives of the future.
2. For not content with holding ACSeS' premier leadership summit event in London on 12 July 2010 (see para 9 below), the President will also be launching ACSeS' third leadership publication. This handy-sized A5 booklet - in the “Firing up the Passion” series of leadership publications - delivers leading edge thinking to promote leadership excellence in local government and in the provision of legal services.
3. This time the focus is on Developing Future Chief Executives. The publication shares essential wisdom and tips for reaching the top in 21 profound articles from a range of key movers and shakers - including articles from the President of the Law Society and the Chairman of the Bar.
4. Other contributors include: Councillor John Shipley, the Leader of Newcastle City Council; Robert Chittern, the Chairman of Standards of England; Michael Burton, the Editor of Municipal Journal; Jessica Crowe of the Centre for Public Scrutiny; and Jonathan Perks, Managing Director of Penna Consulting.
5. On launching this new leadership publication: Developing Future Chief Executives, President of ACSeS, Dr. Mirza Ahmad, said that:
   'I am confident that this new publication - with its stimulating contributions from leading players in the local government and legal sectors - will add considerable value to the achievement of excellence and leadership in local government, which it crucially needs as it moves forward into ever more uncertain and difficult times.'
6. Dr. Ahmad also said he was confident that:
    '. . .the previous publication (launched in February 2010), would be of assistance to the new Government with, for example, ideas on how to translate into reality their proposed general power of competence for local government. With the immense knowledge and talent at its disposal, ACSeS stands ready to assist the Government in taking local government forward.'
7. Copies of the publication will be sent to all the Leaders and chief executives of Local Authorities, along with other movers and shakers in central and local government. To get hold of your copy of "Firing up the Passion for Leadership – Developing Future Chief Executives" (for a nominal price of £10 to cover production/postage costs), please contact the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors at 64, Smithbrook Kilns, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8JJ, telephone: 01483 277888; e-mail: admin@acses.org.uk
8. The 4th A5 publication will be launched in the Autumn at ACSeS’ Annual Conference, which is being held at The Belfry from 16 - 18 November 2010.
9. The Leadership Summit is a landmark event for all those aspiring to become chief executives. It is being held on 12 July 2010 on board HMS President, moored on the River Thames on the Embankment, next to Blackfriars Bridge, in the heart of London. The event is packed with highly distinguished speakers sharing their thoughts and experiences on what it takes to become a chief executive and the skills needed to make a mark in that role and beyond.

Notes for Editors

1. ACSeS represents Chief and Senior Legal Officers of all English and Welsh local authorities and is the professional association for managers of corporate governance (legal, administrative, democratic, scrutiny and standards functions) and statutory monitoring officers and their deputies in local authorities in England and Wales.
2. The Association plays a leading role in developing governance arrangements in local government and works closely with other associations, Government Departments and agencies.
3. The Association also provides a network for its members to enable discussion, consultation, training and development on legal and governance matters.
4. As Corporate Director of Governance (and Monitoring Officer) of Birmingham City Council – which is the largest local authority in UK – Dr Mirza Ahmad leads a multi-professional department, consisting of over 800 staff, excelling in Legal, Democratic, Regulatory, Registrars, Elections, Data Protection and Information Management Services. 

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