Simplify Compliance completes sale of Argosy Group

April 9, 2019 — Fusion DigiNet

Simplify ComplianceSimplify Compliance, a Leeds Equity Partners portfolio company, has completed the sale of Argosy Group. The transaction resulted from a strategic decision to further hone the parent company’s focus on its core markets: human capital management, healthcare, environmental health and safety, and communications. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Argosy Group includes a suite of trusted brands that date back more than 50 years, providing a diverse line of award-winning business publications, databases, conferences, online information services, and resource directories for financial services professionals, regulators, lawyers, accountants, and vendors.

The sale of Argosy Group is consistent with Simplify Compliance’s corporate strategy which focuses on the high-growth areas of corporate training, data, and tech-enabled solutions. “We see this sale as an opportunity to allocate resources and pursue investments that align with our strategic vision,” said Simplify Compliance CEO Dan Oswald. “To that end, we’ll continue to invest in new product development and explore acquisitions that expand and strengthen our product portfolio.”

PEI MediaThe buyer, PEI Media Group, is a UK-based global B2B information group focused on private equity, private real estate, private debt, infrastructure and agri investing. “The Argosy Group has been the go-to provider for information for private equity and venture capital executives for decades, the team has done an excellent job growing their market and evolving their products to better serve the community,” says Scott VanHoy, partner with Leeds Equity. “We believe there is a great strategic fit between PEI and Argosy in continuing to provide compelling information and intelligence to their customers.”

USA, Brentwood, TN & New York, NY

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Informa disposes of its five corporate training businesses

July 19, 2013 — Fusion DigiNet

informa2Informa plc is selling its five Corporate Training businesses to Providence Equity Partners for a total consideration of up to $180m. The deal is expected to complete in the third quarter of 2013.

The initial consideration of $165m, consists of $100m in cash (net of indebtedness and working capital adjustments on completion) and a $65m vendor loan. The vendor loan is for a maximum term of 6.5 years and attracts a PIK interest rate of 1% in the first two years, rising to 10% in the third year with a further 1% per annum increase thereafter.

providenceequityThe cash element of the consideration will initially be used to reduce Group net debt. A further cash payment of up to $15m will be received by Informa in 2014 dependent upon the businesses achieving a certain level of revenue in 2013.

In the year ended 31 December 2012, the contribution attributable to the Corporate Training businesses was revenue of approximately $194m (£122m) and adjusted EBITA of $23.5m (£14.8m). As at 31 December 2012 the business had gross assets of $358.8m (£225.7m).

Peter Rigby, Chief Executive, said, “The disposal of our Corporate Training businesses creates a more focused, higher growth, higher margin Events division with more visible and predictable revenue streams, enhancing the underlying quality of Group earnings.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our colleagues within Corporate Training who have worked so diligently and intelligently to develop the businesses through a highly challenging economic period. I believe Providence, with a significant investment already in the education sector, will be an excellent home for the businesses.”

UK, London

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