A P Watt acquired by UA

A P Watt, the oldest literary agency in the world, has confirmed its sale to one of the newest, United Agents.

The Bookseller first reported in late September that the two were in "exclusive negotiations" —12 of A P Watt's 16 agents, associates, and assistants will now formally move into the United Agents offices in Lexington Street, London, from Monday (3rd December), with three employees taking up jobs elsewhere.

A P Watt chairman Caradoc King and joint managing director Derek Johns will join UA LLP as partners together with their colleagues Natasha Fairweather, Linda Shaughnessy and Jon Elek. Fairweather will be joint head of the overall literary department with UA's Robert Kirby, and Linda Shaughnessy will be joint head of the foreign rights department with Jessica Craig. The combined literary department will comprise 31 agents, associates and assistants. A P Watt will retain its distinct identity, becoming known as A P Watt at United Agents.

King said: "Publishing is undergoing profound changes, and it is vital for authors to have the strongest possible representation in all aspects of their careers." From Monday, A P Watt's telephone number will change to 020 3214 0800.

The number of A P Watt staff moving to United Agents has been revised. The figure was incorrectly reproduced when this article was taken from the printed copy of The Bookseller. We apologise for this error.