Publishing firm snaps up digital learning and performance business

A West Yorkshire-based publishing group has bought a digital learning and performance support company to support the “next phase of its growth.”

Emerald Group, the West Yorkshire-based provider of research and learning resources which last reported a turnover of £48m, has completed the acquisition of digital learning and performance support company, Mind Tools.

Mind Tools currently counts thousands of corporate and individual learners in over 180 countries as subscribers.

Emerald is based in Bingley and global presence in 130 countries worldwide.

Ollie Craddock, CEO of Mind Tools, will now join Peter Casebow, CEO of Emerald’s corporate learning division and fellow Emerald board members.

Casebow said: “This is a perfect fit for Emerald in our continuing goal of providing solutions rooted in a firm evidence base and with a practical impact. We already provide a leading performance support solution in the business user market.

“Together with Mind Tools, we can provide the best experience to customers and users, whether they’re accessing our resources at work or as part of learning in their everyday lives.”

Mind Tool co-founders, James and Rachel Manktelow, will now be stepping back to pursue other interests.

James added: “We are very pleased and proud to see Mind Tools join Emerald. We started Mind Tools because, as managers ourselves, we struggled to find resources to help us develop our own careers.

“Over the past two decades, together with our team of wonderful and talented people, we’ve built a solution and resources that help millions of people thrive at work. With Emerald, Mind Tools has found a great new home for the next phase of its growth.”

The shareholders of Mind Tools were advised by KPMG and Eversheds Sutherland.

Emerald was advised by IBIS Capital and DLA Piper, with funding support provided by Barclays and HSBC.