Littlewood to leave Random House

Random House’s international sales director Simon Littlewood is to leave the company “by mutual agreement”.

Penguin Random House UK said the decision was made after a “mutually suitable role” could not be found for Littlewood within PRH.

Rob Waddington, Random House’s deputy group sales director international, will assume responsibility for Random House’s international sales team on an interim basis.

Ian Hudson, deputy c.e.o. of Penguin Random House UK, said: “I have had the pleasure of working with Simon for many years and have seen first-hand his passion and flair for international sales.

“Sadly, after much discussion we have been unable to find a mutually suitable role for Simon within Penguin Random House.

“Simon has been an incredible asset to our company and the industry, and we will all miss his charm and wit.

“We hope we will continue to benefit from his talent and expertise in some form of consultancy capacity, and I am sure his friends and colleagues from across the industry will join me in wishing Simon the very best for the future.”

Littlewood first joined Random House in 1997 as group international sales director, and soon took responsibility for Transworld and Random House Children’s Books.

He led strategic sales initiatives in Europe and Asia, and helped to set up Random House India. He was also a director of Random House South Africa.

In 2009 Littlewood became the first consumer-publisher chair of the Publishers Association’s International Board, a post he held for three years.

Littlewood said: “It has been the rarest of privileges to lead the international arm of this great publisher through successive phases of strategic development, and I am grateful to have been for so long at the heart of the vibrant creative enterprise that is Random House and its authors. These are very durable connections, and I look forward to remaining engaged with the publishing and bookselling community both at home and overseas.”