Mark Allen Group to acquire Centaur Media’s engineering portfolio for £2.5M

May 9, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Mark Allen GroupThe Mark Allen Group, a specialist information provider and event organiser, has agreed to purchase Centaur Media Plc’s engineering portfolio, including The Engineer and Subcon for £2.5 million. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This transaction follows MAG’s purchase of 12 publishing brands in the aviation, automotive and arena sectors from UKi Media & Events Limited last week.

The engineering portfolio includes the market’s leading website, magazine and events, and has deep industry relationships and a diversified client base. The Engineer is one of the UK’s longest-running business publications and is supplemented by Subcon, which is an event for subcontract manufacturing professionals.

The sale comes as Centaur continues the divestment of its smaller businesses following the conclusion of a strategic review last October and its decision to improve operational execution by focusing on its leading brands. The transaction is expected to complete on 31 May.

Ben Allen, Chief Executive of Mark Allen Group, said, “The acquisition of these premium brands is part of our strategy to target well-established products in markets where we believe there are exciting growth opportunities. These assets will further strengthen our existing manufacturing and engineering publishing and event portfolio, which includes titles such as New Electronics and Eureka, as well as the Engineering Design Show.”

UK, London

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The Montgomery Group acquires AidEx

February 11, 2015 — Fusion DigiNet

Exhibition News is reporting that The Montgomery Group has acquired AidEx, from Centaur Media. AidEx is an international event that brings together the international aid and development community. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The AidEx portfolio comprises two annual events; its flagship conference and exhibition in Brussels (November) and a conference in Nairobi (June).

The exhibition in 2014 attracted more than 200 exhibitors and organisations including the EU, Red Cross, UN and Oxfam, and companies offering a range of products from 4×4 vehicles to medical supplies, shelter products, logistics, short-wave radios and satellite communications.

UK, London

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Centaur Media plc – Proposed disposal of Perfect Information for £26m and proposed early settlement of Econsultancy earn-out

May 22, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet
centaurCentaur Media plc, the business information, events and media group, has conditionally agreed to sell Perfect Information Limited, a provider of corporate finance and capital markets documents, to Mergermarket Limited for an enterprise value of £26m.

econsultancyIn addition, Centaur has conditionally agreed to the early settlement of the earn-out entitlement of the former shareholders of E-consultancy.com Limited for £12.5m in cash.

Econsultancy is a subscription and events-led information provider to global digital marketing and e-commerce community. Fusion managed the sale of Econsultancy to Centaur in July 2012. Centaur paid an initial cash consideration of £12m with deferred performance based consideration of up to £38m due in 2016

pi_logoAndria Vidler, CEO of Centaur, said: “Our strategy is to focus on our core markets and leverage the strengths of our businesses to provide audiences and customers with the benefits of expertise and synergies around content, insight, and digital technology. Perfect Information is an excellent data business but it does not fit with the rest of the business and has only a limited opportunity to grow under Centaur’s ownership. The funds raised will strengthen our balance sheet and provide additional capacity for investment in other portfolios across the Group. The immediate investment into the Econsultancy settlement enables us to fully integrate our marketing portfolio, the largest part of the group, and by working together more effectively, we are able to further accelerate growth across this portfolio.”

UK, London

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Centaur Media plc publishes its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013

February 20, 2014 — Fusion DigiNet

centaurCentaur Media plc, the business information, events and media group, has published its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2013. 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Reported revenue in the six months to 31 December 2013 up 8% to £32.7m (2012: £30.4m) 2
    • Deferred revenues up 16% to £17.5m (31 December 2012: £15.1m)
    • Digital and events revenues account for 71% of revenue (2012: 67%)
    • Paid-for content revenues up 9% to £10.6m (2012: £9.7m)
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 7% to £3.1m (2012: £2.9m)
    • Adjusted EBITDA margins stable during a period of significant change
  • Interim dividend increased by 3% to 0.85p (2012: 0.825p)
  • Successful event launches including The Meetings Show and Festival of Marketing
  • Successful digital product development includes Celebrity Intelligence and Filings Expert
  • Good progress on harnessing combined strengths across the Group to drive revenue generation
  • Andria Vidler appointed as Chief Executive – accelerated focus on audiences and markets

 

  Six months to

31 December 2013

Unaudited

 Six months to

31 December 2012

Unaudited

 Reported Growth Year to 31 December 2013

Unaudited

 Year to 31 December 2012

Unaudited

 Reported Growth
Revenue (£m) 32.7 30.4 8% 74.4 69.4 7%
Adjusted EBITDA (£m) 1 3.1 2.9 7% 13.1 12.9 2%
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 9% 10%   18% 19%  
Adjusted profit before tax (£m)1 0.9 0.7   8.8 8.8  
Loss before tax (£m) (2.9) (5.0)   (35.3) (0.8)  
Basic LPS (pence) (1.7) (3.1)   (25.7) (1.3)  
Adjusted basic EPS (pence) 1 0.5 0.3 66% 4.7 4.5 4%
Dividend per share (pence) 0.85 0.825 3% 2.425 2.325 4%

Andria Vidler CEO of Centaur, said, “We have a number of strong brands, deep content, a talented team and considerable technical expertise.  We aim to be the first place customers turn for information and insight and to interact with their peers. To deliver this we are refocusing – using our own resources – and placing our audiences at the heart of everything we do.  This will enable us to prioritise market facing and commercial initiatives, and to harness our combined strengths across the business to drive revenue generation and value creation.”

He added, “It is early days but I am increasingly optimistic about the Group’s potential and the energy and enthusiasm of the team across the business to embrace these changes.  We have made good progress in a very short time. At this stage of the 2014 financial year, I am encouraged by the potential across the business and anticipate that trading will be in line with the Board’s expectations.”

See the full announcement here

UK, London

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Wilmot abandons plans to make an offer for Centaur

October 22, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

centaurOn 24th September Geoffrey Wilmot, the former chief executive of Centaur Media plc, said that he was in talks with financial backers about making a bid for the Centaur business. He had until 5.00pm on Tuesday 22nd October to clarify his intentions, by either announcing a firm intention to make an offer or that he does not intend to make an offer.

Since then, Wilmot has engaged with an extended number of finance providers and these discussions have progressed significantly.

However, a stock market statement issued today said, “It has become apparent that the Board of Centaur’s views on the value of the Company materially diverge from those of Mr Wilmot and his potential financing partners. Accordingly Mr. Wilmot confirms that he currently does not intend to make an offer for Centaur.”

Geoff Wilmot left Centaur in May this year.

UK London

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