SPCK Group Celebrates 50 Years at Frankfurt Book Fair

Last week at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, SPCK Group was honoured as one of the exhibitors marking 50 years of participation — a testament to our enduring commitment to the global publishing community.

Read more on Publishing Perspectives.

Over five decades, we’ve witnessed tremendous change: shifts in technology, evolving reader demands and interest, the rise of digital and open-access formats, and the growing importance of global rights and translations. Yet through it all, one thing has remained constant: our passion for carrying forward the mission to educate, inspire, and connect readers through meaningful Christian books and Bibles.

Being recognised alongside other longstanding participants was deeply humbling. For SPCK, this milestone carries special meaning, it celebrates not only our longevity as a publisher but also our wider mission as a Christian charity.

Founded in 1698 by Thomas Bray, SPCK (the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge) has worked for over 300 years to increase awareness of the Christian faith in the UK and worldwide. We are the largest independent Christian publisher in the UK, and a Christian charity patronised by the royal family since Queen Anne in 1698. In 2024, His Majesty King Charles graciously continued this longstanding and treasured relationship by becoming our charity’s royal patron.

Today, we remain a recognised market leader in Theology, Christian Spirituality, Christian Children’s Books and Bibles and are proud to publish bestselling authors such as Tom Wright, John Mark Comer, Paula Gooder, Alister McGrath and John Polkinghorne. From bestselling and award-winning Bibles to academic titles, our books reach all who wish to understand, grow and live fully the Christian faith.

Our publishing also extends to History, Self-Help, and Leadership, representing renowned authors such as Terry Waite, Melvyn Bragg, Janina Ramirez, and Katie Piper. Through our varied and much-loved imprints like Lion Cub Books (formerly Lion Children’s Books), we continue to inspire both children and adults in the Christian faith.

We are a small charity with a big impact, reaching across geographical, social, cultural, and linguistic boundaries to meet people where they are and transform lives.

Our Chair, Stephen East, captures our heart perfectly:

“We strive to be relevant and transformative, reflecting the depth and breadth of Christian thought and theology in a changing world. As Christians, we know someone and something that is life-changing.”

This milestone is not just about our past, it’s an opportunity to celebrate what makes our journey possible:

• The dedication, creativity, and resilience of our team
• The trust and collaboration of our authors, partners, and global distributors
• The readers whose faithful engagement drives us forward
• Our willingness to evolve, embracing digital formats, co-editions, and new ways to connect

As we look ahead, we carry growth and lessons with excitement for what’s next. Here’s to continuing to adapt, innovate, and engage, and to many more years at Frankfurt and beyond.

If you were at Frankfurt this year, we’d love to hear your reflections or memories from past fairs. Let’s celebrate together.