The AFD Group is delighted to announce that Lion Hudson’s excellent book publishing business will join the wide AFD family of businesses. These include several major Christian Media projects, Christian Holidays, Software Products, Technology and Facilities Infrastructure, Alternative Power Generation and Medical Devices.
Managing Director of the AFD Group, David Dorricott warmly welcomed the Lion Hudson business: “Lion products have been a high quality support to my own discipleship journey for over four decades. Alison and I are thrilled that together we can help Lion expand and develop its product range and distribution so that thousands more disciples across the world can benefit from their insights and teaching. With our three young grandchildren growing up in an increasingly secular world, Lion’s range of Children’s books seems to us to be without equal in ensuring they learn to know and love the Word of God – and get to know their saviour.”
Suzanne Wilson-Higgins, Managing Director and Caroline Gregory, Finance & Shared Services Director will become directors of Lion Hudson Limited (IOM) and the staff will transfer to the new company.
“The past six months have been challenging times and we have been upheld in the Lord by the prayers of our supporters including staff, authors, illustrators and trading partners in the UK and around the world”, says Wilson-Higgins. “We are thankful for tremendous support we have received and are very pleased that a positive outcome has been achieved for the company and staff. Lion Hudson can now move forward with the robust support of the AFD Group.”
FRP Advisory’s Nigel Hamilton-Smith, joint administrator, said: “We are delighted to have helped secure new ownership for the Lion Hudson book publishing business after six months of trading through administration. In AFD Group, Lion Hudson has found the ideal owners to take forward the business, the staff and their shared values that have underpinned the journey which continues to bring so much pleasure to everyone involved from authors and agents, to readers and their families.”
About AFD
The AFD Group is a wholly-owned private business lead by David and Alison Dorricott. With over 30 years of experience delivering IT and address-list management solutions AFD Software now serves thousands of UK organisations and has a network of hundreds of Trade Partners. The AFD Group also includes Christian Multi-Media publishing of the Friends and Heroes TV Series and “What’s in the Bible” and Christian Holidays through Spring Harvest Holidays. The AFD Group are currently developing the Mountain View Innovation Centre near Ramsey, Isle of Man.
About Lion Hudson
Lion Hudson is committed to publishing quality literature, worldwide. We publish books for adults and children under five different imprints: Lion Books, Lion Children’s Books, Lion Fiction, Candle and Monarch. Our books sell around the world and are translated into over 200 languages. International co-edition publishing is a particular strength with more than half our sales made in international markets. http://www.lionhudson.com/page/about/.
For further information or comment contact:
Suzanne Wilson-Higgins suzannew@lionhudson.com Tel +44 (0) 1865-302763 or
Caroline Gregory carolineg@lionhudson.com Tel +44 (0) 1865- 302777 or
David Dorricott, david.dorricott@afd.co.uk Tel +44 (0) 1624 811730
