Karen Lotz to become group m.d at Walker Books

David Heatherwick is to step down from his position as group managing director for Walker Books UK, Candlewick Press and Walker Books Australia in July 2011 after more than 20 years in the role. He will continue as group finance director.

His replacement will be Karen Lotz, president and publisher at Candlewick, who has been named joint group managing director with immediate effect. Lotz will become group managing director from July 2011. She will remain in her position at Candlewick as she assumes the group role, and will be continue to be based in the US. Reporting to her will be UK managing director Helen McAleer, and Sarah Foster, managing director of Walker Australia/New Zealand.

Lotz joined Candlewick Press in 1999 with the brief of turning Candlewick from a sales and marketing operation for UK originated books into a publishing company in its own right. Candlewick achieved this objective, growing sales of the US-originated portion of Candlewick's list from $5m in 1999 to $28m in 2009.

Heatherwick said: "It has been both a rewarding, demanding and enjoyable time for me, I believe we are extremely fortunate to have someone to take on the role who is such an inspirational leader and already so understanding of our ways.

"I believe it will be very stimulating for the Walker Group to experience change at the highest level. Karen as well as being a fantastic publisher, is brave, highly energetic and good at bringing out the best in people. I am sure she will be a great success in her new job."

Lotz said of her new role: "There could be no better job in the world than working with our esteemed list of authors and looking after the Bear."