Amberley Publishing has acquired Ryland Peters & Small, the independent illustrated nonfiction publisher that focuses on food and drink, home and garden, mind/body/spirit, crafts, and gifts and stationery. Ryland Peters & Small includes CICO Books, which it bought in 2006. The company has a staff of about 25 in the U.K. and a sales and marketing team in the U.S. It publishes some 100 books a year. Simon & Schuster distributes Ryland Peters & Small in the U.S.
Ryland Peters & Small was founded in 1995 by David Peters, Anne Ryland, and Jacqui Small. David Peters died last year; the company sought to continue his legacy through this sale.
Among the authors on the Ryland Peters & Small and CICO lists are bestselling interiors and plant stylist Hilton Carter; Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell; Michele Pascarella, who was named Global Pizza Maker of the Year 2023 by 50 Top Pizza; and Phillip Permutt, one of the world's foremost crystal healers.
Amberley will continue to publish under the name Ryland Peters & Small Limited. Nick Hayward, CEO of Amberley, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Ryland Peters & Small into the Amberley family. RPS has an outstanding reputation for producing beautiful, high-quality books that inspire and delight readers around the world. We look forward to building on its remarkable legacy and expanding its reach even further."
Trish Peters, who had been acting managing director of Ryland Peters & Small, added: "I am delighted that Amberley Illustrated will continue Ryland Peters & Small. Nick and his team have considerable publishing experience and are excited to take on this new challenge."