HC Canada c.e.o. David Kent to step down

HarperCollins Canada president and c.e.o. David Kent will leave the company at the end of the year, as the publisher consolidates its north American functions.

Canadian distribution will now be outsourced to US firm RR Donnelley, which will handle delivery of HC Canada titles from spring next year.

Kent has been with the company for 14 years, becoming president and c.e.o. in 2001. The Canadian business will now be overseen by Iris Tupholme, who is promoted to senior vice president and executive publisher, and Leo MacDonald, who becomes senior vice president, marketing and sales.

Brian Murray, president and c.e.o. Of HarperCollins Publishers said: "David is renowned in the industry as an international publisher and exceptional advocate for authors. He has made many wonderful contributions to HarperCollins Canada over the years, and overseen a successful publishing company that has received a myriad of literary prizes. We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him well the future."

During his time at HC Canada, the company has won several national awards, while Kent himself was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada in recognition for work on behalf of adult literacy and his contributions to Canadian culture.

RR Donnelley will now provide warehousing, packing and shipping services for HC Canada titles. Larry Nevins, executive vice president operations at HarperCollins Publishers said: "Our supply chain agreements with RR Donnelley have allowed us to ensure we can competitively offer the entire HarperCollins catalog to customers regardless of location. We are confident that RR Donnelley will provide the same great experience to our Canadian booksellers that they have today."

The changes will not apply to Harlequin titles. HarperCollins bought Harlequin from Canadian parent company Torstar earlier this year.