This portfolio comprises four magazines - Metal Powder Report, Reinforced Plastics, World Pumps and Filtration & Separation - and nine newsletters - Additives for Polymers, Biometric Technology Today, Computer Fraud and Security, Filtration Industry Analyst, Fuel Cells Bulletin, Membrane Technology, Network Security, Pump Industry Analyst, and Sealing Technology.
The publications will come under the umbrella of MA Business, part of the Mark Allen Group, which is run by the group’s COO and this company’s MD, Jon Benson. Jon will be assisted on the editorial side by the group’s content director, Graham Johnson, the former MD of UKi. In addition, under the terms of the acquisition, two editorial staff will be transferring from Elsevier.
The executive chairman of the Mark Allen Group, Mark Allen, said: “During the past 15 months since lockdown our company has weathered the pandemic storm exceptionally well. The 2020-21 financial year, which we will be reporting in the autumn, will be a record year. It is now time for us to make sure we move forward again. This Elsevier portfolio, with a combination of institutional and corporate subscriptions, as well as advertising, offers us an excellent opportunity to provide these publications with the additional care and attention that we can provide.”
Ben Allen, the CEO, added: “There is a great deal of synergy with the UKi magazines which we purchased a couple of years ago and which have prospered under our control. With Jon and Graham fully engaged, we have two star performers who, with their brilliant teams, will drive this portfolio to new heights. I am excited by the prospects that lie ahead and in working closely with Jon, Graham and their teams.”
Peter Harrison, SVP Physical Sciences, Elsevier commented: “This divestment to Mark Allen Group secures a great home for these titles, and we are confident that they will provide the right focus for their future. I’d like to personally thank the staff for their exceptional dedication and commitment over the years. I’m immensely proud of the team’s achievements and we wish them every success.”
Mark Allen consists of more than 100 magazines and numerous events and awards in 12 different sectors. Its last acquisition in early 2020, also from RELX, was Farmers Weekly. In 2019-20, a year affected towards the end by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mark Allen reported an EBITDA of £8.4 million on a turnover of £54.6 million.
Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
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