Our Story

PET’s origins can be traced back to the creation of Pluto Press, founded in London in 1969 with a vision of producing books for the burgeoning political movements of that turbulent decade. Grounded in the anti-Vietnam war movement, student movement and the militancy of grassroots workers’ organisations of the 1960s, the press published books on sociology, politics, history, cultural studies, economics and geography. Pluto quickly blossomed into an epicentre of radical social and cultural thought. However, like many small presses, it faced significant financial pressures and, by the 1980s, was at risk of closure due to underfunding, economic challenges, and the increasing monopolisation of the publishing industry.

In 1987, Roger van Zwanenberg, a committed advocate for independent publishing and radical scholarship, acquired 100% of the shares in Pluto Press, ensuring its survival and refocusing its mission toward international politics. Recognising the importance of maintaining the press's radical mission, he narrowed its focus to non-fiction and shifted its emphasis from national to international affairs.

Over the next few decades, Pluto thrived as a publisher committed to addressing the most pressing issues of the day and challenging dominant narratives. Yet, van Zwanenberg saw a troubling pattern in the publishing industry: as small presses succeeded, their founders often sold them to larger conglomerates, contributing to the rise of oligopolies. Determined to chart a different path for Pluto Press, he sought a solution that would preserve its independence and radical vision for generations to come.

In 2010, Roger co-founded the Pluto Educational Trust (PET) with Pauline Tiffen, transferring his shares in Pluto Press and Pluto Journals into the trust and donating additional funds to support its mission. PET was conceived as a "guardian owner," ensuring that Pluto Press and Pluto Journals would remain independent and aligned with their foundational values, free from the influence of market pressures or corporate takeovers.

The creation of PET resulted from a deeply held belief: that publishing and education is a public good and a space for imagining a more equitable and just society. This innovative ownership model has provided the PET network a safe haven to continue its mission, even as the publishing market evolves.
PET has evolved into more than just a guardian; it has become an incubator for transformative ideas and initiatives. Today, PET supports a range of aligned projects, including:

• The Ameena Gafoor Institute for the Study of Indentureship and its Legacies, advancing research on the histories and legacies of indentured labour.

• The Decolonial Centre, led by Mohammed Elnaiem, fostering critical perspectives on decolonial theory and practice.

• Collaborations with the African Books Collective, aimed at expanding journal publishing across the continent.

Through this expansion from custodian to incubator, PET has committed to playing a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of thinkers and activists, ensuring that the ideas and movements it nurtures are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future.