Hachette UK announced Monday the acquisition of Welbeck Publishing Group, in an agreement executed on November 30. The company was founded by Mark Smith and Marcus Leaver in 2019, beginning with the acquisition of Carlton Books (and expanded through a number of original imprints, plus the acquisition of Eddison Books in 2020, and the launch of an Australian subsidiary with Booktopia in 2021.) Smith and Leaver said in the announcement, “The last few years have seen so much change in the world, it’s been daunting and exhilarating at the same time, and we are proud of what we have achieved. […]