Jon Rippon acquires Palazzo Editions

Palazzo Editions, founded by Colin and Pamela Webb and based in Bath, has been acquired by a management buy-in team led by former Constable & Robinson finance director Jon Rippon [pictured].

The buy-in team, which includes investor, Graham Thomas, also brings together former C&R directors Rob Nichols, who becomes managing director, and Martin Palmer, who is appointed as a non-executive board member.

Colin Webb will continue as publisher and his daughter, Claudia Kennerley, will continue to manage coedition and rights sales. The publisher will operate from a London office with Rod Green as editorial director and Gill Woolcott as production director.

With some 50 years’ publishing experience, Colin and Pamela Webb, who had previously started Pavilion Books in 1981, met Jon Rippon in 1998 when he was at Collins & Brown and just starting out in publishing.

Colin Webb said: "We have been looking to find the right synergy for the ownership of our business and have been impressed by Jon’s track record and achievements in the years we have known him. This is an exciting opportunity for the company to build upon the solid foundations of the Palazzo we started back in 2001 and we much look forward to working with Jon and his talented team."

Rippon said: "Not only did I work with Colin and Pam at Collins & Brown, but Colin introduced me to John Nicoll, owner of Frances Lincoln, with whom I subsequently worked for 11 years. It was a delight when the opportunity arose to work with Colin and Pam again. Having admired them for so long, it feels like a natural circle in my publishing career has come about. Not only am I pleased to lead the management team in taking over the ownership of Palazzo with such a lovely list, but I am very pleased that Colin will continue as our Publisher within the new team and that we’ll have the opportunity to work together to develop and grow the business.”