Express & Star publisher adds to stable with swoop for London media group
Wolverhampton-based media company Claverley Group (CGL), publisher of the Express & Star, has acquired London-based HPCi Media in a move to widen its audience base and further diversify its portfolio of brands.
It marks the third deal made by the group since 2018 and follows on from the acquisitions of children’s magazine publisher Kennedy Publishing and creative design and print management business Cubiquity.
The Claverley Group comprises MNA, publisher of the Shropshire Star and Express & Star; the Guiton Group, which owns Jersey Evening Post and Guernsey Press; commercial print company Precision Colour Printing and publishing software company Press Computer Systems.
HPCi Media is a leading B2B publisher, specialising in cosmetics, beauty and health media.
Following the deal, HPCi will continue to operate from its current base in London, with all staff being retained.
Phil Inman, CEO, Claverley Group, added: “The acquisition of HCPi Media provides the Claverley Group with both a further diversification of its managed portfolio brands and widens the audience base for the overall group.”
BDO’s Midlands corporate finance team acted as M&A adviser to CGL with a team led by John Stephan and Alper Dervish.
BDO also provided tax advice on the transaction.
Stephan said: “We’re delighted to have worked with the management of CGL on their latest acquisition. With a deep understanding of publishing, CGL is perfectly positioned to support HPCi in the next stage of it growth and development.
Dervish added: “Through our corporate broking services, the team has continued to support an acquisitive media client as it diversifies its brand portfolio. We were able to leverage both our existing network of deal flow, alongside M&A identification searches, to introduce this opportunity.”
