Matrix Private Equity Partners, the small buyout specialist, has invested in the £4 million management buy-out of Faversham House Group. Faversham publish Europe’s largest environmental website www.edie.net and stages the UK’s no.1 environmental exhibition, Sustainability Live!. Matrix is investing £1.75m and will take a significant minority stake in the business. This is Matrix’s 7th investment in the media and publishing sector and comes following the recent investment in recruitment business RDL Corporation.
Faversham, a family owned business founded in 1960, has developed into a leading media business providing websites, exhibitions and print publications to the environmental, visual communications, home improvements and building services sectors. The business employs over 100 people and is forecasting revenues of £10m in the current year.
Chris Price, investment manager of Matrix who led the deal comments: “Faversham is uniquely placed to benefit from both the strong growth in the environmental sector as well as the continuing media shift towards online assets. Management have demonstrated the ability to grow by acquisition and we look forward to supporting their strategy to develop Faversham into an integrated media player in a number of attractive verticals.”
Matrix has introduced Operating Partner and serial entrepreneur, Bob Fairchild who will join as Chairman and Jill Williams who joins as FD having performed the same role for successful Matrix investment Tottel publishing. Bob, currently Chairman of Matrix investee company ATG Media, is highly experienced in the sector and was previously managing director of Landmark Information Group, which was sold to Daily Mail & General Trust Plc.
Amanda Barnes, CEO of Faversham comments: “We are thrilled to have partnered with Matrix and were impressed by their track record of growing businesses within the publishing and media sector. With Matrix’s investment we are now able to take our business up a gear and implement a strong acquisitive growth strategy.”
UK, Croydon, Surrey
Related articles:
- Huddle raises $10.2 million Posted on May 21, 2010
- BuyWithMe.com raises $5.5 Million From Matrix Partners Posted on January 24, 2010
- Matrix invests £4.3M in MBO and recapitalisation of Iglu.com Posted on December 21, 2009
- Faversham House acquires Utility Week from RBI Posted on August 13, 2010
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