HELGARD LEADS SALES AND MARKETING TEAM

Helgard Krause has been appointed as Head of Sales and Marketing at the Welsh Books Council, to spearhead the work of promoting books from Wales in both languages.

Born in Germany, Helgard is a native of the Rheinland Pfalz region, on the French border. She graduated in politics at the University of Berlin before moving to England in 1993 to study English literature at Sussex University.

She has worked with several companies in the field of publishing, including Routledge and a book distribution company in Russia. She then joined the Rotovision publishing company, becoming their Head of Sales and Rights and leading their marketing drives in China, Japan, Australia and America.

Helgard moved to Wales in 2002, when she was appointed Overseas Marketing Officer at the Books Council and, following two years in the post, she has been appointed to this new post of Head of Sales and Marketing.

Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, Director of the Books Council, said, ‘This appointment is one of a series of developments following a report by independent consultants (Kewley/Richardson) on the Council’s trade representation service. Helgard has vast experience of the publishing industry and this will now be channelled to develop the booktrade in Wales.’

Already fluent in German, English and French, Helgard can also speak Russian. Since moving to Wales she has also been learning Welsh. She attended an intensive Wlpan course last summer, and since being appointed she has been given a period of leave to become fluent in Welsh.

‘I don’t think that learning Welsh is that difficult,’ said Helgard, ‘which maybe links to my German background as we are familiar with learning languages and have a natural affinity to learning grammar. Both my tutors – Carwen Fychan and Llinos Dafis – have been fantastic. I wouldn’t have progressed as quickly without all their support and assistance. I now look forward to starting my new post and to working closely with our partners to promote the excellent selection of books from Wales.’

Professor M. Wynn Thomas, Chairman of the Books Council, added, ‘As we welcome Helgard’s appointment to this important post, we are eager to take advantage of her knowledge of the publishing industry on an international level. The developments within the book industry in Wales over the past few years has been most impressive. It is a tribute to all the authors, publishers and booksellers, as well as the Books Council itself, that we have such a vibrant literary culture. Now is the time to look forward to a further period of development and growth.’

For further information please contact: Elwyn Jones, Head of Administration and Public Relations, Welsh Books Council, Castell Brychan, Aberystwyth, SY23 2JB T (01970) 624151 F (01970) 625385 E elwyn.jones@cllc.org.uk