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Dag Smith, former c.e.o. at The Publishing Training Centre (PTC), has died at the age of 81. Industry figures are hailing his vision, dedication and "immense gift for friendship".
Smith died on Monday, 15th April, following a fall that broke his hip. He had been suffering with vascular dementia for three years prior, his wife Rosie Smith confirmed to The Bookseller. The pair met at the PTC and had been together since 1993, eventually marrying in 2015. Rosie added that "his passing was peaceful".
Having joined Transworld in the 1970s, Smith was then appointed as sales director at Sphere. He moved to the PTC (then Book House) in 1985 and remained with the company for 15 years.
Smith presided over the PTC during a period of transition for the business. It originally traded as Book House Training Centre, transforming into the Publishing Training Centre Foundation under his leadership in 1990.
Petra Green, head of the PTC, said: “Renowned for his exceptional leadership, Dag joined the organisation in 1985. He elevated the PTC to prominence as the publishing industry training organisation, leaving an indelible mark until his departure in 2000. His vision and dedication paved the way for the PTC’s success and enduring legacy.”
Alison Baverstock, a reverend and professor who worked with Smith at the PTC, described him as "endlessly resourceful in laying on courses, recruiting tutors and finding out what people thought of their experience".
She continued: "He led from the front and was remarkably imaginative. He set up distance learning, long before anyone else. Working with Rosie Thom (later his wife) he set up the Publishing Qualifications Board, which established criteria for effective performance within the industry.
"On a personal level [...] I always left a conversation with Dag feeling wiser and more informed, whether about the world or myself. He was kind, generous and had an immense gift for friendship."
Baverstock will conduct the funeral, which is scheduled to take place at 12pm on Tuesday, 14th May at Christ Church, Lower Broadheath, Worcester, WR2 6QY. Smith’s family will be accepting donations to Dementia UK.