David Peters
Ryland Peters & Small is very sad to announce the death of David Peters, owner and Managing Director of RPS, after a year-long battle with cancer.
His loss leaves a large hole to all those who knew him, and to his colleagues both in the UK and around the world. With RPS, he has created a great legacy. David founded RPS and produced its first list in 1996 with an instant bestseller in Pure Style, the first of many successful books including The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook. More recently, he was the first UK Publisher to enter the air-fryer market with the Air-Fryer Cookbook.
David enjoyed a long and illustrious career in publishing. He started his career at just 17, working for Hodder & Stoughton as a trainee sales representative in London before rising to become the Rights Director and face of Reed International Books in America and latterly the managing director of Osprey.
RPS was started in 1995 by David Peters, Anne Ryland and Jacqui Small and in 2006 it acquired CICO Books to become the market-leading lifestyle publishing house it is today. David’s leadership at the helm of RPS for nearly 30 years is a record that few, if any, can match within the publishing industry.
Losing David is devastating for everyone at RPS. Throughout his long career, he cultivated long-standing relationships all around the world. We know David will be sorely missed by many. His legacy will be carried on through his loyal staff and partners and through our future publishing list.