Conran biography to W H Allen

WH Allen has acquired Terence, the "definitive" illustrated biography of design "visionary" Terence Conran.

Publishing in September to coincide with the opening of the new Design Museum later this year, as well as Conran's 85th birthday, the "frank" book will contain never-before published material including lavish illustrations. "Compelling" insights are to be offered in the book by "collaborators, friends and enemies" of the expert, who has been hailed a "creative genuis".

Its authors are Stephen Bayley and Roger Mavity. Bayley, now a commentator on global design and culture, was selected 40 years ago to help Conran with The Boilerhouse Project, a project promoting design at the V&A that became the most successful gallery of the eighties and evolved into the Design Museum. Mavity meanwhile was first hired by Conran at the French Gold Abbott agency where he won the Habitat advertising account. He went on to become chief executive of Conran Holdings, a post he held for seven years.

Editor Elen Jones acquired world English rights from Charlie Brotherstone at Ed Victor. Jones said: "Rich with revealing anecdote and beautifully packaged with personal photographs, more than a biography, this is the story of a creative genius at work. We are thrilled to be publishing this extraordinary book."

Bayley said: "There’s one thing you never hear people say – Terence Conran – what a bore!"

WH Allen is an imprint of Ebury at Penguin Random House UK.