In a move that completes a companywide restructuring begun in October, DK has appointed Liz Gough to the newly created role of managing director of DK Adult. Gough has been executive publisher at Hodder & Stoughton for almost 11 years, where she launched the Yellow Kite imprint, which publishes titles in the health and wellbeing categories, in 2014. At DK, the announcement said, Gough “will shape the future vision for DK’s adult publishing strategy and continue to build its presence on a global scale,” with a “remit of evolving the newly combined DK Adult list," comprising the life, travel, and knowledge categories.
Gough's appointment follows an October reorganization in which DK created four divisions—children’s, licensing, learning, and adult—with the expressed purpose of expanding its adult publishing business. Gough’s appointment is the final part of that restructuring, and DK has high hopes that Gough will “build both the frontlist and the division’s profile within the industry and ensure DK’s presence is felt in future competitive auctions with agents, authors and brands,” according to the announcement.
“Liz’s track record speaks for itself—an entrepreneurial publisher with exceptional creativity,” DK CEO Paul Kelly said in a statement. “I have been looking for someone to set out an ambitious and unified publishing vision for DK Adult, and who will bring a fresh perspective and exciting new acquisitions to the list. I’m keen to expand significantly beyond our current scope and bring in more editorial experience in new areas.” Gough will join DK in February, and report directly to Kelly.
“I have been watching DK diversify its publishing and grow its UK trade presence with interest, and this new role is a really exciting opportunity to help shape the future of three important areas of the business,” said Gough. “I am looking forward to soaring high again: driving the ambitious growth plans at DK Adult, expanding its publishing range and creating a cohesive identity for the new division.”
