Kristine Belson has been named the new president of Sony Pictures Animation.

The move comes just days after Michelle Raimo Kouyate announced she was stepped down from her position as production president and transitioning to a first-look producing deal with the studio.

Belson, who produced the DreamWorks Animation hit The Croods, will lead the development and production of original material as well as current and future franchises, focusing on creating an environment that nurtures animators and artists.

She will report directly to Amy Pascal, the co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment and chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.

The move is a shake-up in SPA's structure as Kouyate, who ran the division, reported to Bob Osher, the president of Sony Pictures Digital Productions. Osher is still the head of SPDP but SPA is now under Pascal's purview.

Belson spent the last decade at DWA, joining the company as head of development in 2005. She executive produced How to Train Your Dragon and was nominated for a best animated feature Oscar for The Croods.

SPA has lagged behind other studios in attracting name creative talent for some of their projects, and Belson's hire is seen as a way to rectify that.

Said Pascal: "Kristine is a visionary who will make our animation studio a home where the animation industry's best talent can come and make the films they want to make."