Penguin Random House’s DK division has restructured its operations, with the goal of simplifying its business lines while also creating the opportunity to expand its adult publishing program. The new structure follows the announcement in September that Rebecca Smart, DK co-CEO, is moving to a new position as a dedicated internal leadership and talent coach, leaving Paul Kelly as sole CEO. Kelly and Smart were named co-CEOs in April 2022, following the departure of Carsten Coesfeld.
Under the reorganization, DK has created four divisions: children’s, licensing, learning, and adult. Each group will be led by a managing director, and the company is looking to fill the head of the adult unit. From the current leadership team, Sarah Larter has been promoted to managing director of DK Children’s, responsible for two of the current children’s divisions, Children’s 0-9 and Reference 9+, which have been consolidated. Larter has been with DK for 20 years.
In addition, Mark Searle has been promoted to managing director of DK Licensing, and Hilary Fine, who has spearheaded DK’s entry into the education market, has been promoted to managing director of DK Learning.
According to the announcement, Kelly is actively recruiting to find the head of the adult group, who will be in charge of carrying out Kelly’s “ambitious” plans for expanding the division, which currently focuses on reference, narrative nonfiction, and travel. The group head will likely be based in DK’s London headquarters.
