WPG takes over Davidsfonds’ publishing section

Davidsfonds was launched in 1875 as a Catholic alternative to the secular Willemsfonds. It was named after the at the time recently deceased Leuven professor and canon Jan Baptist David. Davidsfonds publishes books and organises cultural events, courses and travels. It employs some 50 people at its headquarters in Leuven and has a network of more than 5,000 volunteers across Flanders.

“The corporate-economic aspects of publishing do not belong to the core tasks of a socio-cultural movement,” said Davidsfonds director Tine Verhelst (pictured), “and given the context in which cultural organisations have to operate these days, it is essential that we focus on our social and cultural work.”

WPG Belgium CEO Peter Quaghebeur said that, with the publications of Davidsfonds, his company would be able “to strengthen the quality of our non-fiction catalogue. The books of Infodok will also fit perfectly into our children’s portfolio. We are also delighted to be able to offer our own quality selection of literature, non-fiction and young adult novels to the members of Davidsfonds.”

The two sides stressed that little would change in practice: Davidsfonds staff in Leuven will be retained, contracts with authors will be unchanged, and the two brand names will continue. The handover takes place on 1 January.

Photo courtesy Davidsfonds