Hachette UK acquires Welbeck

Hachette UK has acquired independent Welbeck Publishing Group (WPG), reports the Bookseller.

Welbeck’s adult trade, gift and illustrated titles will become part of Headline Publishing Group, while Welbeck’s children’s list will become part of Hachette Children’s Group.

Hachette UK said its acquisition of WPG is part of its long-term strategy to diversify into specialist areas. Other recent acquisitions include Paperblanks, Bookouture, Jessica Kingsley Publishers and Laurence King.

Hachette UK CEO David Shelley said: ‘Welbeck’s creativity, dynamism and consumer focus is inspiring, the company is exceptionally strong in a wide range of fields, and we’re excited to welcome them to our business.’

Welbeck’s executive directors Mark Smith and Marcus Leaver, who cofounded the publisher in 2019, will be stepping down.

Hachette UK’s acquisition of WPG came after the announcement that Booktopia has sold its share in WPG subsidiary Welbeck ANZ to WPG.

Category: International news