Young to run global Time Warner Book Group

Young, who oversaw strong growth for TW UK in 2004, will report to Richard Atkinson, executive vice-president of parent group Time Inc. Maureen Egen, president and c.o.o., will report to Young in a new role of vice-chairman and publisher.

Kirshbaum said: "After 30 years of passionate involvement with our wonderful book company, I have decided that it is time to turn the reins over to a team that can provide the energy and leadership which our vibrant enterprise demands. I am confident that we are both initiating necessary changes and sustaining great continuity of leadership." He said Young had done an "outstanding job in building our global franchise from London. He will now come here and bring his broad perspective and well-honed leadership skills to our entire group".

Young added: "This is a wonderfully exciting job to have, and I very much look forward to working with all my new colleagues in the US. I have been in this business for over 34 years and in adult trade publishing for the past 16 of them. I can truly say that the last five years have been the happiest and most successful of them all. I shall leave behind a company that knows what it does well, knows where it is going and will continue to grow in success and confidence."

Kirshbaum said Mackenzie had been a "brilliant and dynamic leader of our resurgent British company. Her ability to publish books of the highest quality with great flair and commercial success makes her a perfect successor to David Young. She has been a proponent of much closer co-operation with her American cousins and she will help us as we expand our global reach in the years ahead".

Mackenzie added: "What excites me most is that with David heading up the US company, with his total understanding of both the British market and our UK company, we will be able to maximise the advantages inherent in a transatlantic set-up. I’m confident that the unified management team David and I represent can only lead to greater co-operation, understanding and ultimately much more powerful publishing for the Time Warner Book Group UK."
joel.rickett@bookseller.co.uk