Amberley acquires Quiller in £1.4m deal

Amberley Publishing, an independent specialist in local history heritage, has acquired Quiller Publishing in a £1.4m deal.

The Stroud-based press said the acquisition will be a "strong addition" to Amberley's non-fiction catalogue, and support its long-term growth strategy.

Quiller staff members will continue to work as before, while the integration of back-office functions will occur as soon as possible. Quiller and its imprints are expected to remain independent within Amberley.

Set up in 2001 by Andrew and Gilly Johnston, Quiller Publishing focuses on outdoor titles and, in 2005, bought equestrian publisher Kenilworth Press.

Amberley c.e.o. Nick Hayward said: "This is a very exciting moment in the life of Amberley and reflects the amazingly hard work that our wonderful team has put in over recent years. The global pandemic has been challenging, but this is the next step of our plans for growth after vastly improving our distribution by leaving Orca and moving to HarperCollins Glasgow in July 2020. The owners have shown great faith in the Amberley team and we are all looking forward to working with the great business that Andrew and Gilly have created together."

Johnston said: "I am delighted that Quiller has been acquired by a dynamic independent publisher and after 20 years developing Quiller, and over 40 years in the book trade since joining Foyles in 1973, it is time to step back from what has been a wonderfully happy career."