The Quarto Group
The Quarto Group is an international publisher of illustrated books for adults and children.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Quarto Group is a global illustrated-book publishing group established in 1976 by Laurence Orbach, Robert Morley and Michael Jackson. The business developed as a multi-imprint publisher serving both adult and children’s markets, with a catalogue spanning art, design, craft, cooking, lifestyle, health, gardening, transport, popular culture, history and educational subjects. Rather than operating primarily as a single consumer-facing book label, Quarto has historically worked through a portfolio of specialist imprints and publishing businesses, combining editorial development, design, rights management, co-edition publishing, distribution and international partnerships. Quarto was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1986. Its expansion accelerated during the 1990s and 2000s through the creation and acquisition of imprints in the United Kingdom and the United States. Businesses and labels associated with its growth included Rotovision, Book Sales, Rockport Publishers, Walter Foster, Creative Publishing International, Motorbooks, Cool Springs Press, Aurum Press, Jacqui Small, Frances Lincoln, Ivy Press, Ivy Kids, SmartLab and becker&mayer. These acquisitions broadened Quarto’s subject coverage and increased its access to specialist authors, illustrators, designers, retailers and international publishing partners. The group’s publishing model has included both traditional frontlist publishing and co-edition or licensed projects intended for sale in multiple territories and languages. Quarto has stated that it creates and sells illustrated books in approximately 50 countries and 40 languages. It has also established foreign-language partnerships, including Quarto Editora in Brazil with Editora Nobel, Kalimat Quarto in the United Arab Emirates with Kalimat Group, and Quarto Iberoamericana with Argentina-based Catapulta Editores. Its Quantumn Publishing operation provides publishing-production, design and editorial services for third-party imprints. Leadership changed substantially after Laurence Orbach’s long tenure as chairman and chief executive. Tim Chadwick became chairman and Marcus Leaver became chief executive in 2012. Chuk Kin Lau, a major shareholder, became group chief executive in 2018, later becoming president in 2020 when Polly Powell was appointed group chief executive. Alison Goff became group chief executive in 2022. In 2017, Quarto sold Books & Gifts Direct in Australia and New Zealand and Regent Publishing Services in Hong Kong, leaving the group more narrowly focused on publishing. The company’s books have received recognition in children’s publishing, including Waterstones Children’s Book Prize awards for titles published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and a Blue Peter Book Award for a QED Publishing title. A notable commercial success was Tiffany Jewell’s This Book Is Anti-Racist, which reached number one on The New York Times bestseller list in July 2020. Quarto has also faced scrutiny over editorial changes made to some books for publication in China. Financial Times reporting described alterations involving references to Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong and Ai Weiwei, including changes to This Book Is Anti-Racist. The episode highlighted the commercial and ethical tensions that can arise when an international publisher adapts content for different regulatory markets.
History
The Quarto Group traces its origins to the early 1970s, when Laurence Orbach, Robert Morley and Michael Jackson began developing a publishing business centered on illustrated books. The company was formally established as The Quarto Group in 1976 and entered the London Stock Exchange in 1986. Its early development was based on building a broad portfolio of specialist publishing activities rather than relying on one narrow subject category. During the late 1990s, Quarto expanded its list and imprint structure through acquisitions and launches. Rotovision, Book Sales and Rockport Publishers added strength in visual culture, design and illustrated nonfiction, while Quarto Children’s Books, Quintet and Quintessence extended the group into children’s, health, lifestyle and related categories. The group subsequently developed a substantial United States presence through businesses including Walter Foster, Creative Publishing International, Motorbooks and Cool Springs Press. In the United Kingdom, Quarto acquired Aurum Press and Jacqui Small, and in August 2011 it acquired independent publisher Frances Lincoln for £4.5 million. Frances Lincoln became especially important in children’s illustrated publishing and was associated with award-winning titles. In 2012, Marcus Leaver succeeded Orbach as group chief executive, while Tim Chadwick became chairman. Quarto continued to add children’s and specialist capabilities during the middle of the 2010s. It launched Wide Eyed Editions and Words & Pictures, acquired Small World Creations, bought Ivy Press and Ivy Kids in 2015, and acquired SmartLab and Bellevue, Washington-based co-edition publisher becker&mayer in 2016 for $9.8 million. The group also pursued international publishing partnerships. Quarto Editora was launched in Brazil in 2014 with Brasil Franchising and Editora Nobel. Kalimat Quarto followed in 2016 through a partnership with Sharjah-based Kalimat Group. Quarto Iberoamericana was announced in 2017 with Argentina-based Catapulta Editores to publish Spanish-language books for markets in Spain and Latin America. In 2017, Quarto sold Books & Gifts Direct, which operated in Australia and New Zealand, and Regent Publishing Services in Hong Kong. The disposals marked a stronger concentration on the group’s core publishing operations. Quarto also operated Quantumn Publishing, a London-based production and services business supporting third-party publishers with design, editorial and physical publishing capabilities. Leadership and ownership changed again after 2018. Chuk Kin Lau became group chief executive in July 2018. In February 2020, Italian publisher Giunti acquired a significant shareholding and Andrea Giunti joined Quarto’s board. In September 2020, Lau became president and Polly Powell was appointed group chief executive. Alison Goff became chief executive in January 2022. The group’s books have achieved both commercial and critical recognition. This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell reached number one on The New York Times bestseller list in July 2020. Quarto-related children’s titles also won or received recognition from the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Awards. At the same time, the group attracted controversy after Financial Times research reported that some books were edited for the Chinese market in ways that removed or modified politically sensitive references. The reported changes included material concerning Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong and Ai Weiwei, raising questions about editorial independence, market access and international censorship.
- 2022
Alison Goff becomes Group Chief Executive
[1]Alison Goff is appointed group chief executive in January.
- 2020
Giunti takes a significant shareholding
[1]Italian publisher Giunti acquires a significant shareholding and Andrea Giunti joins Quarto’s board.
- 2020
This Book Is Anti-Racist becomes a bestseller
[1]Tiffany Jewell’s title reaches number one on The New York Times bestseller list in July.
- 2018
Chuk Kin Lau becomes Group Chief Executive
[1]Principal shareholder Chuk Kin Lau takes over as group chief executive.
- 2017
Non-publishing businesses sold
[1]Books & Gifts Direct and Regent Publishing Services are sold as Quarto concentrates on publishing.
- 2016
SmartLab and becker&mayer acquired
[1]Quarto acquires SmartLab and co-edition publisher becker&mayer for $9.8 million.
- 2015
Ivy Press and Ivy Kids acquired
[1]The group acquires Ivy Press and Ivy Kids for £1.5 million.
- 2014
Launch of new children’s imprints
[1]Quarto launches Wide Eyed Editions and Words & Pictures and acquires Small World Creations.
- 2012
Executive succession
[1]Marcus Leaver succeeds Laurence Orbach as group chief executive, while Tim Chadwick becomes chairman.
- 2011
Acquisition of Frances Lincoln
[1]Quarto acquires the independent UK publisher Frances Lincoln for £4.5 million.
Products and positioning
A design-led international publishing group focused on illustrated, practical and visually engaging books, operating through specialist imprints, co-editions and regional publishing partnerships.
Adult illustrated nonfiction
This Book Is Anti-Racist
Written by Tiffany Jewell, this illustrated social-justice book explains racism, identity and anti-racist action for younger readers and families. Its commercial performance was especially notable because it reached number one on The New York Times bestseller list in July 2020. The title also became part of the controversy over edits reportedly made for Chinese publication.
Children’s illustrated publishing
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books is a Quarto-associated children’s publishing imprint with a focus on picture books, illustrated fiction and nonfiction. Titles published under the imprint include award-recognized works such as The Bear and the Piano and There’s a Tiger in the Garden.
Children’s and educational publishing
QED Publishing
QED Publishing is an imprint associated with children’s nonfiction, educational books and illustrated reference material. The imprint published The Colours of History by Clive Gifford, which received recognition in the 2019 Blue Peter Book Awards.
Automotive and transport books
Motorbooks
Motorbooks is a specialist publishing business focused on cars, motorcycles, motorsport, transportation history and related enthusiast subjects. It reflects Quarto’s strategy of serving visually oriented specialist audiences through subject-specific publishing operations.
Design and creative-industry books
Rockport Publishers
Rockport Publishers is associated with books on graphic design, illustration, typography, branding and other creative disciplines. Its list fits Quarto’s broader emphasis on highly designed, image-led nonfiction for professional and enthusiast audiences.
Art instruction
Walter Foster
Walter Foster is an art-instruction publishing business associated with practical books and courses for drawing, painting and other visual-art techniques. It forms part of Quarto’s United States publishing portfolio and its focus on accessible, illustrated learning.
Publishing services
Quantumn Publishing
Quantumn Publishing provides design, editorial and physical publishing services for third-party imprints that do not maintain their own full publishing operations. The business operates as an enabling and production unit rather than solely as a conventional consumer-facing imprint.
Controversies
Reported censorship of books for the Chinese market
Financial Times investigative reporting alleged that Quarto altered or removed references to Taiwan, Tibet, Hong Kong and the Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei in some books prepared for sale in China. The reported changes included the award-winning title This Book Is Anti-Racist and raised concerns about editorial standards and commercial accommodation of censorship.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020This Book Is Anti-Racist international promotion
United States · United Kingdom · China
Quarto supported the international publication and sale of Tiffany Jewell’s anti-racism book. Its strong reception included a number-one position on The New York Times bestseller list.
Outcome. The book became a major commercial success, while later reporting about market-specific editorial changes created controversy.
Brand decisions
2020
Expand international publishing partnershipsStrategyBackground
Quarto used local partnerships to publish illustrated books in languages and territories that required regional editorial, sales and distribution capabilities.
Action taken
The group developed partnerships and imprints including Quarto Editora in Brazil, Kalimat Quarto for Arabic-language markets and Quarto Iberoamericana for Spanish-language markets.
Aftermath
These arrangements extended Quarto’s international reach through local publishers and distributors.
2017
Concentrate on core publishingStrategyBackground
Quarto had operated businesses beyond its central publishing activities, including Books & Gifts Direct and Regent Publishing Services.
Action taken
The group sold its final two non-publishing businesses, Books & Gifts Direct and Regent Publishing Services.
Aftermath
Quarto became more focused on its core publishing expertise.
2016
Acquire SmartLab and becker&mayerM&ABackground
The acquisitions expanded Quarto’s activity in children’s, educational and co-edition publishing, particularly in the United States.
Action taken
Quarto acquired SmartLab and Bellevue-based co-edition publisher becker&mayer.
Aftermath
The deals broadened Quarto’s portfolio of illustrated and co-edition publishing capabilities.
Acquisition price. $9.8 million (2016)
2011
Acquire Frances LincolnM&ABackground
Quarto sought to strengthen its UK publishing portfolio, particularly in independent and illustrated publishing.
Action taken
The group acquired Frances Lincoln for £4.5 million.
Aftermath
Frances Lincoln became an important source of award-recognized children’s publishing within the group.
Acquisition price. £4.5 million (August 2011)
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