The deal highlights continued consolidation in specialist publishing, where mid-size independents face mounting pressure from digital competition and distribution scale.

The Deal at a Glance

Hachette UK has acquired Kogan Page, the independent business publisher founded in 1967, in a deal signed on 30 April 2026. The acquisition, advised by Bertoli Mitchell for the Kogan family shareholders, adds approximately 1,000 titles to Hachette’s portfolio and positions the group as the UK’s second-largest publisher of business books.

A Legacy of Independent Publishing

Kogan Page was established by Philip Kogan and Terry Page after Philip Kogan served as publishing director at Cornmarket Press. The house built its reputation on authoritative content across management, marketing, HR, and professional development, with offices in London, New York, and New Delhi.

Philip’s daughter Helen took the helm as managing director in 2006, guiding the company through a digital transformation that saw it win the IPG Digital Publishing Award in 2020 and achieve shortlistings at the British Book Awards.

Strategic Rationale

The acquisition fits Hachette UK’s established pattern of buying sector leaders: previous purchases include Welbeck, Bookouture, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Laurence King, and Summersdale. Kogan Page will join the John Murray Group, operating as a distinct imprint while leveraging Hachette’s global distribution and marketing infrastructure.

Leadership Perspectives

David Shelley, Hachette UK CEO, praised Kogan Page as “exceptional at what they do,” noting the group’s 60-year track record of “top-class business publishing”. Helen Kogan expressed confidence in the transition, stating Hachette “shares many of our core values and aspirations”. Nick Davies, MD of John Murray Group, and Sanphy Thomas, MD of John Murray Specialist, will oversee the integration, with Thomas highlighting the “collective strengths” in reaching global audiences.

The View From The Beach

The deal highlights continued consolidation in specialist publishing, where mid-size independents face mounting pressure from digital competition and distribution scale. For Hachette, it deepens expertise in a high-margin vertical; for authors, it promises expanded reach without sacrificing editorial identity.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.