I assume Ed Miliband wanted to be photographed carrying a pile of books that he intends to read while on holiday in Devon. There are messages here: paper-based books are not dead; holidays – especially in Devon where it is likely to rain – provide splendid reading opportunities; reading books is a good thing, but I’m so busy doing other stuff that the only time I can catch up is while on holiday; and my holiday reading is so important that I can’t trust anyone else to pack my books.

I also assume that by carrying most of the books with the titles clearly visible, Ed Miliband wanted us to know the subject matter – in this case, leadership, economics, sustainable development, election campaigns, and the like. More messages: I like weighty tomes, my reading list is more impressive than David Cameron’s, and there is much to be learnt by reading serious books.

Ed Miliband has gone up in my estimation. As the author of a number of management books, I have always been appalled by the way the great and the good, for example, captains of industry, are disparaging about reading books on, say, leadership.

When asked whether they read management books, the answer, invariably, is a dismissive 'No'. When I was busy promoting my latest management book, I sent copies to various people I knew. For example, I sent a copy to Digby Jones (now Lord Jones of Birmingham) when he was director-general of the CBI. Soon after, in a column in The Times, I was appalled to read that he claimed not to read management books. I wrote to him suggesting that he should have seized the moment and said: ‘I don’t often read management books, but at present I’m reading the latest book by Peter Honey and finding it very enjoyable and useful. So much so, that I’m going to recommend it to all our members.’ Not surprisingly, there was no reply!

I also sent a copy to Sir John Bond, then chairman of HSBC. He wrote back a polite letter – but it was the very next day, so I knew he couldn’t have read the book (unless, of course, he is an accomplished speed-reader). His letter said, ‘Thank you for your book; I wish you had written it earlier in my career! I hope your book will be a great success.’ I thanked him, suggesting that, since he was going to become the next chairman of Vodafone, I had probably sent it to him in the nick of time. No reply!

I also sent a copy to Justin King, group chief executive at Sainsbury’s, since the last story in my book is about a bad-tempered Sainsbury's manager. Impertinently, I suggested my book should be essential reading for all the Sainsbury managers. He wrote back saying, ‘Thanks for your letter and the book. I have to confess I am not a diligent reader of books!’ Wrong reply!

So, well done, Ed Miliband. I might even suggest he takes my book with him when next he has a holiday.

Do senior executives in your organisation read books? Is there any evidence that they benefit?