Search Press is the leading art and craft publisher in the UK. We specialize in producing beautiful and practical books on knitting sewing, crocheting, needlecraft, textiles and general crafts for people of all skill levels. The company was founded in 1970, when Charlotte de la Bedoyere published her first book – Basket Weaving – in an attic room in Kensington. Translated from a German book, this was to be the first of many titles. The format was good, the thinking behind them simple, to publish small, reasonably priced books that were packed with practical information, offering crafters and needlecrafters new ideas and inspirational designs. Lotti, as she is known to everyone here at Search Press, went on include hot trends like pin and thread and candlemaking. The market loved them and so she continued, introducing full colour and a successful series of practical art books – the Leisure Arts.
In the early 1980s, Lotti moved to Tunbridge Wells, establishing a warehouse and offices in a quiet corner of the North Farm Industrial Estate – where we are today. She continued to publish an increasing range of popular books, developing new series and commissioning larger titles. Then in 1997, following her decision to retire, her son, Martin de la Bedoyere, took over as Managing Director, with his wife Caroline. Both with extensive publishing experience gained as directors at Heinemann, they continue to build on the strong traditions that Lotti had developed over 27 years.
With a team of nearly 40 people, many of them long-term employees, Search Press now publishes up to 100 of its own titles each year, as well as distributing books for other publishers. From the commissioning of an original idea to the final delivery of books into the warehouse, the publishing process is carried out ‘in-house’. A few books are bought in from other sources and labelled with the Search Press ‘stamp’, but they are always checked by us before they are printed, so that they fit in with our style and publishing philosophy. We have a strong and dedicated team, with everyone playing their part in the process, from the warehouse staff to the sales and marketing team, production department, customer services, accounts and designers and editors.
Recently, the offices and warehouse have been extended and we now have a craft room which can be used for workshops or demonstrations by customers, authors or organizations. Having also established offices in Australia and the USA we continue to expand and develop our list with new exciting ideas. The biggest development to date is this website. We will be keeping you up to date with our books, news and happenings on a regular basis and you will be able to place orders for all our latest titles.
The Team ...
Martin de la Bedoyere – Managing Director
Caroline de la Bedoyere – Director
Paul Watkinson – Company Secretary
SALES & MARKETING
David Grant – Sales and Marketing Director
James Wheeler – UK & Ireland Sales Manager
Fergus O'Meara – Sales Executive
Rosie Wisby – Sales Executive, South East England
Mary Ellingham – Publicity Manager
Lin Chan – Product Marketing Manager (crafts)
Ru Casimir – Product Marketing Manager (art)
Chloe Cooper – Marketing Executive
Juliet Morrison – Marketing Assistant
RIGHTS & DIGITAL ASSETS
Caroline de la Bedoyere – Director
Olivia McCarthy – Rights & Digital Assistant
CUSTOMER SERVICES, ACCOUNTS & DISTRIBUTION
Paul Watkinson – Accounts and Company Secretary
Jane Meechan – Head of Customer Services
Charlie Palmer-Joy – Sales Support Manager
Katrina Argent – Facilities Co-ordinator
Sophie Williams – Customer Service Operator
EDITORIAL
Katie French – Editorial Director
Edd Ralph – Senior Editor
Becky Robbins – Senior Editor
May Corfield – Editor
Beth Harwood – Editor
Lyndsey Dodd – Editor
Emily Adam – Assistant Editor
Juan Hayward – Head of Design
Marrianne Miall – Design Manager
Emma Sutcliffe – Design Assistant
PRODUCTION
Inger Arthur – Production Manager
Megan Foster – Production Controller
WAREHOUSE
Phil Evans – Goods In Manager
Michael Graham – Warehouse Manager
Operatives
Andy Cole
Darren Nicholls
Greg Bialasik
Michael Diplock
Tom Tice
SEARCH PRESS NORTH AMERICA
Website: www.searchpressusa.com
Email: northamerica@searchpress.com
SEARCH PRESS AUSTRALIA
Email: sales@searchpress.com.au
If you wish to contact any member of staff in our UK office, please email enquiries@searchpress.com and include the person’s name in the subject field.
