Bloomsbury Publishing has completed the acquisition of certain assets of Zed Books, the London-based academic and non-fiction publisher. Zed will operate within Bloomsbury's academic and professional division.

Bloomsbury stated that the acquired Zed titles are a good strategic fit with its existing publishing lists, while strengthening its offerings in African studies and development studies.

Jonathan Glasspool, managing director of Bloomsbury’s academic and professional division said: “We are delighted to become the new guardian of the prestigious and progressive Zed list. The Zed programme aligns very well with our existing publishing within I.B. Tauris, and complements Bloomsbury Academic’s publishing across a wide range of humanities and social science subjects. Over 40 years, Zed has built up a unique presence in African and development studies, an area we wish to grow. We greatly look forward to working with Zed’s wonderful range of authors and partners.”

Kika Sroka-Miller, co-owner and director of Zed Books added: “Bloomsbury’s recognition of the value of Zed’s global south focus comes at a pivotal historical moment. Moving the Zed list to Bloomsbury not only secures its long-term future and development, but greatly increases the global reach of the Africa and development lists in particular, which has always been Zed’s primary goal. Furthermore, Zed’s ground-breaking Middle East, gender and sexualities, race and indigenous politics lists fit well within Bloomsbury’s broader publishing programme and crucially, the move ensures Zed’s books remain independently published.

Bloomsbury’s headquarters are in Central London.