Hachette UK acquires Kogan Page
London, UK — 1 May, 2026
Hachette UK today announced the acquisition of Kogan Page, the leading publisher of award-winning business books from global experts. This follows the signing of an agreement between the shareholders on 30 April 2026, as part of their ongoing strategic expansion, it makes Hachette the second-largest publisher of business books in the UK. We are delighted and honoured to have advised the Kogan family shareholders in this transaction.
Founded in 1967, Kogan Page has built a reputation for publishing authoritative content across business, management, marketing, human resources, and professional development. With a strong international presence, an independent spirit, and a growing digital portfolio, Kogan Page complements Hachette UK’s existing strengths and aligns with the longer-term strategy to diversify into specialist areas by acquiring publishers who are leaders in their field, including Welbeck, Paperblanks, Bookouture, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Laurence King, Summersdale and Short Books.
David Shelley, CEO of Hachette UK, said: “At Hachette, we like to acquire businesses which are exceptional at what they do - and Kogan Page absolutely fits this brief. With 60 years of top-class business publishing, we’ve admired them for a very long time. I’d like to thank Helen Kogan and her family for entrusting us with their storied business. I know it will thrive under the stewardship of Nick Davies and Sanphy Thomas, and I feel confident we will be able to find even more readers for this unique list.”
Helen Kogan, Managing Director at Kogan Page, added: “I couldn’t think of a better home for Kogan Page than Hachette. After nearly sixty years of ownership by the Kogan family we are delighted to know that a new phase for the company will be with an organisation that shares many of our core values and aspirations for the company and its authors. Although it is with much sadness that our ownership is coming to an end we are totally confident that the future remains very bright for the company within the John Murray Group.”
Nick Davies, Managing Director, John Murray Group, said: “Sanphy and I have been fans of Helen and great admirers of the Kogan Page list for many years now. We’re thrilled to welcome Kogan Page and their impressive stable of global authors to the John Murray Group. It feels like a perfect match!”
Sanphy Thomas, MD, Jessica Kingsley and Director of Specialist, John Murray Group said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming the Kogan Page team. The John Murray Group brings together a diverse and highly respected portfolio of imprints from Jessica Kingsley and Sheldon Press to John Murray Business and Hodder Faith. Through deep engagement with our communities, we have built strong expertise in reaching global audiences, something Kogan Page does admirably as well, so I’m excited to see how far our collective strengths can take us.”
Following the acquisition, Kogan Page will become part of the John Murray Group and continue to operate as a distinct publishing brand within the division, maintaining its market-leading focus while benefiting from Hachette’s global distribution, marketing capabilities, and technological infrastructure.