Stuart-Kells-Penguin-and-the-Lane-Brothers-wins-prestigious-30000-Ashurst-Business-Literature-Prize

Author and antiquarian book publisher Stuart Kells has won the 2015 Ashurst Business Literature Prize for his ground-breaking counter-history of the 20th century's greatest publishing house.

In Penguin and the Lane Brothers (Black Inc.), Kells, relying on unprecedented access to Lane family sources, sheds new light on the intimate partnership of brothers Alan, Richard and John, the drivers of Penguin's success.

Launched in 2004 by Ashurst and administered by the State Library of NSW, the $30,000 prize is Australia's largest and most significant award for business literature. It was established to encourage the highest possible standards of literary commentary on Australian business and financial affairs.

An independent judging panel - Alan Cameron AO, Narelle Hooper and Richard Fisher AM - selected Kells' book as the winner from a shortlist of five including:

• Quentin Beresford - The Rise and Fall of Gunns Ltd (NewSouth Publishing)
• Jill Margo - Frank Lowy: A Second Life (HarperCollins Publishers)
• Matt O'Sullivan - Mayday: How Warring Egos Forced Qantas Off Course (Penguin)
• David Uren - Takeover: Foreign Investment and the Australian Psyche (Black Inc.)

Kells' agent Sheila Drummond accepted the prize on his behalf from The Honourable Gabrielle Upton MP, guest speaker at a special award dinner hosted by leading international law firm, Ashurst, in Sydney last night (12 April).

Ashurst Global Vice Chairman Mary Padbury said: "Now in its twelfth year, the Ashurst Business Literature Prize has recognised some of Australia's finest writers who have canvassed a diverse range of business and financial topics that affect all Australians. Ashurst is proud to have established this important prize and congratulate both Stuart and all of the other worthy short listed authors."

NSW State Librarian & Chief Executive Alex Byrne said: "We are delighted that this award which celebrates literary commentary on Australian business is thriving, attracting a growing number of submissions. The Library and its Foundation are grateful for Ashurst's continuing support for Australian writers."

Alan Cameron AO, chair of the judging panel commented: "We were impressed by the quality of all the short listed books, but we found the winner was a delight to read - informative and entertaining at the same time. The author has drawn out many of the complications which can attach to the intersections between family and business, and left the reader wishing for more."