The director of Jewish Book Week will step down following the 2012 festival after seven years in the post.

Geraldine d’Amico said it was “the longest I had ever been in a job” and hoped to go out with “the most successful year ever”.

Book Week chair Gail Sandler said: “It’s a wonderful, creative job and she has really given it her best. She will not be an easy act to follow.”

JBW has launched a search for a new director.