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DK Verlag MD Monika Schlitzer to retire, Heike Fassbender to take over
DK Verlag managing director Monika Schlitzer is set to retire after 25 years in publishing, with Heike Fassbender set to take over, stepping up from her role as editorial director.
Schlitzer began her career in publishing in 1984 at Herder Verlag. In her time there she rose from junior editor to commissioning editor. She then worked at two more digital publishers, before joining DK Verlag – the publisher’s German-based division – at its inception in 2000, initially as publishing director, before taking the helm as managing director in 2017. She also serves on the board of the German Publishers’ Association and has been a trainer for many years at the German Media Academy.
Fassbender is promoted to deputy managing director of DK Verlag, effective immediately, where she continues to report to Schlitzer for a transition period. Fassbender will take on the role of MD from 1st June when Schlitzer retires, reporting directly to DK CEO Paul Kelly and joining the company’s leadership team.
Fassbender is currently editorial director, responsible for managing the German division’s list, authors and editorial team, and acquiring new titles and customers. She joined DK Verlag in 2016, and has commissioned authors including Maya Leinenbach, Tim Armann and Sepp Schellhorn. In her new role as managing director, Heike Fassbender will oversee the leadership of DK Verlag.
Kelly said: "Monika’s passion for excellence – particularly in food and drink publishing – has been the driving force behind DK Verlag’s unparalleled success in that space. She has been much more than a colleague – she has been a mentor, a collaborator and a friend. Her tireless drive and collaborative spirit have ensured not only the success of DK Verlag, but also the development of a talented, creative and ambitious team that will carry her legacy forward.
"Heike has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and strategic vision, solidifying our reputation as one of the most respected publishing brands in Germany. Her energy, publishing air and passion for our brand have been invaluable, and I am condent she is the right person to lead DK Verlag into its next chapter of growth and success."
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Schlitzer said: "It has been a privilege and a joy to build DK Verlag with such an exceptionally talented, passionate and friendly team in Germany, in the UK and DK worldwide. What a great journey for us all: we continued to learn and to change as we grew into the company we are now and most of all I am grateful that I made so many friends along the way. I am convinced that DK Verlag will continue to thrive in Heike’s able hands and I am happy to pass the baton on to her in a few months at the end of May."
Fassbender said: "It is a great honour to take over the management of this prestigious publishing house. Monika’s drive and vision have created the foundation on which we stand today. The DK team is like a family and I am looking forward to continuing its successful history. I’d like to thank Monika, not only for the past few years, in which we’ve worked so closely together and achieved so much, but even more so for her great trust in me. She’ll always be closely connected to DK Verlag and all its great authors."
