Yorkshire Post publisher National World has bought Manchester-based regional B2B media company Insider Media Ltd.
Insider has, since first published in 1991, provided a range of business-orientated magazines, daily business newsletters and business information and events. It will organise 93 events in 2023 and is forecast to generate year-on-year profit growth at the end of the current financial year.
Since its management buyout in 2005, the company has grown from publishing three regional business magazines to six, with the most recent the launch of the South East Business Insider magazine. It has also steadily grown its annual event calendar, and added sector specific emails to its daily B2B email newsletter service.
LSE-listed National World has been on the acquisitions trail recently, including an audacious bid to acquire the significantly larger Reach Plc last November.
Managing director and majority shareholder Marlen Roberts, who is due to retire imminently, said: “The current shareholders wanted to ensure that the company had a strong future and National World is a buyer that will continue to invest in high-quality content as well as the business infrastructure and the people.”
National World told Prolific North in a statement that Insider will continue to run as a seperate entity under the wider National World umbrella. It said: “A newly created management group will be established to assist with the integration of Insider Media within the wider National World business. Insider Media will run as a new separate division of National World. Mike Hartley, formerly MD of Insider Media, will lead the integration as interim MD supported by Vairi Smith on Events, Claire Jackson, HR, Sheree Manning, Finance and Mark Hollinshead, Executive Director of Insider.”
The sellers were advised by Mark Wilson of Headpoint Advisors, Richard Griffiths of Higgs LLP solicitors and Anthony Wooding, the Audit Partner at Hurst Accountants LLP.
Seperately, National World has also acquired the Rotherham Advertiser. Established in 1858, the Advertiser complements National World’s reach across the South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire markets, including a number of rural communities.
The acquisition also includes two weekly tabloid free newspapers – the Dearne Valley Weekender and the Rotherham Record – and bi-monthly lifestyle magazine: Chase. The Advertiser will be managed by National World’s Yorkshire business unit.
National World chair David Montgomery, said: “Over the last 12 months we have made a number of targeted investments and acquisitions designed to accelerate our progress, increase our capabilities and grow the audience for our high-quality content.
“National World offers a unique combination of digital news, specialist content and targeted audience engagement, helping it build deeper relationships with its readers and users. Today’s acquisitions are in line with that strategy as we reposition the business towards our new operating model.”
