Independent publisher The Canelo Group acquired by DK

DK has acquired the independent publisher The Canelo Group. Canelo was founded in 2015 by Iain Millar, Michael Bhaskar and Nick Barreto, and has twice been shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards. 

According to DK, Canelo will maintain its independent identity "while benefiting from DK’s resources". DK explained that its imprints (Canelo, Canelo Crime, Hera and August) will reach broader audiences while "preserving their unique identities". A top priority following the acquisition will be Canelo’s "commitment to author and agent care", and DK will invest in and scale those efforts across UK and international markets.

Canelo has combined traditional publishing with digital innovation, and since it was founded has grown a large catalogue of bestselling commercial fiction and has "fostered close relationships with authors and literary agents".

Paul Kelly, c.e.o. of DK, said: “I’ve been incredibly impressed by what Iain, Michael, Nick and the rest of the Canelo team have built. In a relatively short period of time they have established themselves as one of the most innovative digital and physical independent publishers in the UK today. This partnership is a strategic evolution for DK, integrating Canelo’s renowned author-first approach and proven genre expertise with our global platform. Together, we’ll engage new readers and support talented authors by creating compelling, accessible fiction and non-fiction with a reach that spans DK’s global distribution networks. We see huge potential to grow in exciting new directions.”

DK said that the acquisition signalled its "strategic commitment to broaden its publishing scope, adding Canelo’s thriving fiction lines to its world-renowned illustrated, non-fiction and children’s fiction titles". DK also explained that additional communications were planned for authors and agents.

Millar, m.d. of Canelo and Hera, said: “We are delighted to join DK Books, a publisher that shares our dedication to quality and author-centric values. This partnership provides us with superb additional  opportunities to grow and to bring our talented authors’ work to a wider, more diverse audience. I hugely look forward to exploring the new creative avenues that this collaboration will open for our team, our authors and our readers.

"We’d like to thank all at DK for the warmest of welcomes, our advisers at ABG Corporate Finance for helping to make this happen, and everyone past and present who has made Canelo the publisher it is today, and provided the platform for this most exciting new adventure.”

Canelo employs 22 people, and will continue to be based in its offices in Southwark.