Philip Kogan, founder of Kogan Page and former chairman of the IPG, dies aged 92

Philip Kogan, founder of business books publisher Kogan Page and former chairman of the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) and treasurer of the Publishers Association, has died aged 92.

Born on 10th April 1930, Kogan died of pneumonia at the Whittington Hospital in London on 24th December 2022, leaving behind his wife Gillian, children David, Helen and Sarah and grandchildren Rebecca, Emma, Hannah, Joe and Jake.

The fifth of six children, and an identical twin, Kogan was born in Stratford, east London, to refugee parents from Poland and Russia. He attended Stratford Grammar School and the University of Reading to study physics and spent 10 years as a physicist in industrial research before moving into publishing in 1962, first at Sampson Lowe and then Cornmarket.

In 1967 he established Kogan Page with co-founder Terry Page. The publisher was shortlisted for Academic, Educational and Professional Publisher of the Year at The British Book Awards in 2022, and won the IPG Digital Publishing Award in 2020 and Academic and Professional Publisher of the Year and International Achievement Award in 2019.

Bridget Shine, chief executive of the IPG, told The Bookseller she feels "very lucky" to have known Kogan. "He was one of the UK’s most inspiring specialist publishers and steered Kogan Page superbly through decades of changes and challenges—all the while remaining proudly independent. Beyond that, he was instrumental in making the IPG what it is today. He was an active member for most of our 60 years, serving as chair from 1975 to 1977. He received the IPG Patrons’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and became a patron himself in 2017. He was always excellent company at IPG conferences and book fairs and was a friend and mentor to countless other independent publishers. We will miss him very much," she said.

When Kogan was appointed a patron of the IPG, president Jonathan Harris said at the time: “Kogan Page is a role model for independent publishers everywhere, with a resolute focus on its niche, a close understanding of its customers and a ready willingness to evolve and move on.

“Philip has been hugely successful not only in expanding his business but in growing the IPG, and I am delighted that his involvement with us will continue as a patron.”

Dan Conway, c.e.o of the PA, said of Kogan, who spent time as the organisation’s treasurer: "The organisation is immensely grateful for the time and expertise [Kogan] dedicated to the role. Philip was a hugely well-respected member of the publishing community and all at the PA, both historical and present, would I am sure join me in sending our best wishes to his family and friends at this time.”

Helen Kogan, Philip Kogan’s daughter, became m.d. of Kogan Page in 2006 and Kogan moved up to chairman. She said: “He never really used the ‘r’ word, but when we moved to the new offices in 2013 he had pretty well stopped being actively involved, although [was] always interested in the business.”

His funeral will be held at 1pm on 18th January at Golders Green Crematorium in London, with the after-service reception venue to be confirmed. A live link to the funeral is also available here, which can be accessed with the username vosa1486 and password 698765. 

A tribute page and donations (no flowers) with all proceeds to go to the Book Trade Charity has been set up here.