Acquisition sees Worsley CPD specialist join London group
MBL Seminars, based in Worsley, Greater Manchester, has been acquired by Law Business Research (LBR), a London-based global technology-enabled information services business, for an undisclosed sum.
The Worsley business is a specialist in providing CPD, continuing professional development.
Its heritage in legal training has provided a platform to expand into the broader professional services sector, where its close ties with a network of more than 500 expert speakers allow the delivery of in excess of 9,000 course topics.
MBL successfully pivoted to a predominantly online and on-demand delivery model during the pandemic, building a successful subscription platform in the process.
The combination of MBL’s extensive online library with LBR’s engaged audience and client base will allow LBR to extend its reach within legal and adjacent professional services. The combined product suite is highly complementary and presents multiple opportunities for improved client engagement, commercial growth and geographic expansion.
Nick Brailey, CEO of LBR, said: “MBL has an excellent reputation in the market, with high quality products and deep relationships with clients and subject matter experts.
“Morgan Rigby and his team have built an impressive business, and we look forward to this next phase of their growth trajectory.”
Corporate finance specialist Clearwater International advised the shareholders of MBL Seminars, on the deal, its latest in the education and training sector, having recently advised Apiary Capital on its investment in First Intuition, The Institute of Education on its sale to Dukes Education, and Synova on its investment in Learnlight.
The Clearwater International team consisted of partner Rob Burden, directors Mark Maunsell and Mike Slater, senior associate Thomas Hickey and associate Martine McAuliffe.
Rob Burden, partner and head of business services at Clearwater International, said: “Morgan, Angela and the team have built an exceptional business in MBL, which has developed into a true market leader. The combination of LBR and MBL will create a compelling proposition and we look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength.”
