Western Business Media acquires PSI, Benchmark and Risk Xtra

Western Business Media (WBM), already owners of Security Matters magazine and the Fire and Security Matters Awards, says the acquisition means that they are now the UK’s largest publisher in the security sector.

Pro-Activ Publications managing director Mark Quittenton is synonymous with the security sector having launched Professional Security Installer (PSi) magazine in 1995. WBM says he now joins them as consultant publisher across PSi, Risk Xtra and Benchmark and all staff that currently work on the titles will remain in place by joining WBM. The team have over 50 years’ experience in covering the security sector.

Mark Quittenton will work alongside WBM owners Mark Sennett, Keith Gabriel and Danny Kosifou to grow WBM’s security publication portfolio, which now has a reach of more than 140,000 UK-based subscribers, comprising installers, end users and consultants in the security sector.

Speaking about the announcement, Mark Quittenton said: “The Pro-Activ team are excited to be working with WBM as they take these iconic titles forward into a new era supporting and informing the industry as it grows. I am delighted to be a part of this development.”.

WBM chief executive officer Mark Sennett was equally exited by the acquisition, he said: “We are delighted to have purchased PSi, Benchmark, Risk Xtra and the PSi Awards and are proud to now be the biggest publisher in the UK security sector.

“We have so much admiration for what Mark Quittenton has done in launching these titles that have been market-leading titles in their sector for decades. We are excited to welcome Mark and his team to WBM and can’t wait to grow these publication and awards alongside Security Matters and the Fire and Security Matters Awards and the all-new Security Matters Live conference, which takes place in Coventry on 13 June 2024.

“For our client and readers we are so much stronger as a combined business as we can now offer quality security magazines, digital products and live events that cater for the entire buying chain and our audience reach has never been larger.”