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UK Business Media & Information - Market Update, August 2019

In our latest look at the UK business media and information sector, we explore the themes driving a segment of the M&A market that remains highly active despite political and economic uncertainties, including record levels of private equity investment, near all-time high valuations, and a strong community of entrepreneurial businesses seizing opportunity.
UK mid-market deal value in the business media and information sector tripled year-on-year in the 12 months to March 2019 to £1.9 billion, whilst deal volume more than doubled. The most active segments were professional information and live events, in which 13 and 9 deals were completed respectively. The majority of deals involved private equity investors either backing buy-outs of new investments or making add-on acquisitions for existing portfolio companies.
The UK business media and information sector currently holds 29 private equity portfolio companies representing total enterprise value, at entry, of £3.6 billion – an all-time record. Across the business media and information sector, private equity portfolio companies as a whole reported impressive trading performance, with average revenue growth of 14%. Reflecting the characteristics that insulate the sector from many uncertainties in the wider market, financial investors have continued to deploy significant capital into the sector during the past year.
Nick Field, Director at Livingstone, comments: “It’s clear from our research that the UK’s position as a global leader in business media and information services sector continues to strengthen, notwithstanding the political and economic uncertainties of Brexit. The growth in deal volumes seen across the sector reflects both strong valuations and a preference amongst acquirers for high quality, resilient business models. Recurring revenues, strong cashflows, scalability, and practical immunity to trade barriers are all bolstering the appeal of these businesses during a time of uncertainty.”
To request your full copy of our UK Business Media & Information Market Update, please email Rosemarie Lamanno lamanno@livingstonepartners.co.uk
Team
Additional Insights
- NewsPEI Media, a leading global provider of value-added content and connection to the alternative asset markets, has been acquired by Bridgepoint Development CapitalLivingstone’s Media & Technology sector team has advised the shareholders of PEI Media, including LDC, on its sale to Bridgepoint Development Capital.
- NewsPhoenix Equity Partners has acquired Capital Economics, one of the leading independent macro-economic research companies in the world, in £95m buy-outLivingstone’s Media & Technology and Debt Advisory teams have advised Phoenix Equity Partners on its £95m buy-out of Capital Economics.
- NewsDennis Publishing Group, a multi-platform media group, has been acquired by Exponent Private EquityLivingstone’s Media & Technology sector team has advised the Executors of the Estate of Felix Dennis and the Heart of England Forest charity (“HoEF”) on the sale of the Dennis Publishing Group (“Dennis”) to Exponent Private Equity.
- NewsCentaur Media, a leading B2B information and media group's Home Interest division, has been acquired by Future plcLivingstone’s Media & Technology sector team has advised Centaur Media plc, a leading B2B information and media group, on the disposal of its Home Interest division to Future plc.