Gruppo Media Limited is a new company set up by current Rouleur Limited MD, Bruce Sandell and Founder / Editorial Director Guy Andrews for this management buyout. Following the sale, three new incoming shareholders will be investing to grow and expand Gruppo Media Limited – John McNeil, Paul Bolwell and Robin Miller. Metro Bank will be the new venture’s banking partner.
Simon Mottram, Rapha’s Chief Executive, comments: “Rapha is proud to have been involved in creating and establishing Rouleur, the most beautiful and insightful cycling magazine. The future is exciting for Rouleur and we wish the management team well in their journey. We will be reading the magazine as avidly as ever and look forward to working closely with the new team.”
Bruce Sandell, Managing Director/Publishing Director Gruppo Media Limited, comments: “I welcome John, Paul and Robin as investors, who bring with them a wealth of expertise from their respective experiences in finance, the cycle industry and media. They all share a passion for the cycling market, also in what we have created and achieved with the business to date. Added to this is a great enthusiasm as to where we can take Gruppo Media in the future – we have a very strong team to make all our great ideas for future growth a reality.”
Guy Andrews, Editorial Director Gruppo Media Limited, comments: “We couldn’t have built our business without the help and support of Simon Mottram and the team at Rapha, so it’s with some sadness that we leave this part of our history behind.
This new step forward is really significant for us in many ways as it will enable much needed investment into on-going projects, will enable us to grow the existing team and fund some excellent new ideas too. It’s a great time to be involved in the cycling media and we believe our titles are the best magazines out there so, for us, the future looks very exciting.”
Gruppo Media Limited includes Rouleur and Privateer magazines alongside their dedicated websites and associated products. Gruppo Media Limited also includes the Bloomsbury imprint of Rouleur books – publishing titles such as; The Rouleur Photography Annual, Coppi – The Legend of the Campionissimo, Le Métier – Seasons of the Professional Cyclist and Maglia Rosa – Triumph and Tragedy at the Giro d’Italia.
Rouleur magazine was founded in 2006 and in 38 issues has built a solid reputation in the world of road cycling with professional and amateur bike racers and riders alike. It’s unique, say the publishers, in that it focuses specifically on the world of top level cycle sport and the personalities and brands associated within this remarkable world. Rouleur commissions the finest photographers and writers to convey these stories. Impeccably presented and designed, it is printed on the finest grade Italian paper and is published eight times a year.
Privateer is Rouleur’s sister mountain bike publication and was launched two years ago, it is currently in its 14th edition, edited by Tym Manley and Andy Waterman. Privateer is the world’s premier source of offbeat, off-road inspiration, say the publishers. Written for mountain bikers who already know the obvious – riders who have paid their dues in sweat and dust and broken bone – it’s published six times per year on good old-fashioned paper.
