David and Charles acquires Veloce Publishing

David and Charles has acquired the business of Veloce Publishing for an undisclosed sum in an asset purchase agreement completed on 1st February 2024. 

The Veloce, Hubble & Hattie and Earthworld imprints have all transferred to David and Charles, along with six Veloce staff, and all UK and international distribution and sales relationships.

Known for publishing books in the automotive genre, Veloce will continue to publish new books and maintain the backlist of specialist titles for classic car, classic motorcycle and motorsport enthusiasts under David and Charles ownership. 

Last year Veloce reported around £115,000 through Nielsen BookScan, however, this figure has been closer to £350,000 in previous years. The top two titles, Pass your Driving Test and The Essential Buyers: Volkswagen Bus, have both sold around 4,800 copies.  

The publisher, which also publishes a host of limited edition titles sold directly to customers and through speciality motoring shops, is expected to continue producing a list of 25 new titles each year.

David and Charles is an independent publishing company with a focus on publishing into niche hobby and interest categories. The D&C imprint was originally established in 1960, but the current business was established in 2019 after a management buy-out from American ownership.

The current Veloce director, Rod Grainger, will remain working with David and Charles as a consultant for a year. 

James Woollam, managing director of David and Charles, said: “We are delighted to have completed this deal and to be bringing the Veloce business to David and Charles. Although the reader demographic is new, the publishing strategy at Veloce has been very similar to our existing focus on art, craft and wellbeing books. We’re excited at the opportunities to develop and grow the Veloce business in the future.”

Grainger and Judith Brooks, founders and directors of Veloce Publishing, added: “We have found a very fitting new home for Veloce in David and Charles, and are excited about their enthusiasm to develop the Veloce imprint. With over 30 years of running Veloce Publishing Ltd behind us, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our authors, business partners and employees for their support and role in the Veloce business.”