Centaur Media's home interest division has been acquired by Future plc

Arrowpoint Advisory's TMT sector team has advised Centaur Media plc, a leading B2B information and media group, on the disposal of its Home Interest division to Future plc.

Founded in 1981, Centaur Media plc is a UK-listed provider of B2B information providing a portfolio of business information, events and marketing products and services. In line with its long-term strategy to become a pure focused B2B company, Centaur Media plc has disposed of its Home Interest division to Future plc, a UK-listed specialist media group.

The Home Interest division is a leading provider of information to the Homebuilding and Renovating community. Its portfolio comprises three brands including Homebuilding and Renovating, Real Home and Period Living. Across these brands it delivers seven annual exhibitions held across the UK, three monthly print publications and three digital websites. The Homebuilding and Renovating is the leading brand in its sector, and its exhibitions have established a strong reputation as being must-attend events for anyone undertaking a homebuilding or renovating project, as well as suppliers to the industry.

Future plc is a specialist media group operating two core divisions: the Media division comprising e-commerce, events and digital advertising, and the Magazine division producing over 100 specialist publications across Technology, Games, Music, Film, Creative, Sports and Science. The acquisition of Home Interest will diversify Future's revenue streams adding a new sector vertical to its portfolio, as well as significant scale in events.

The management team of the Home Interest division will move across with the business and back office responsibilities will be transferred to Future plc in due course.

Andria Vidler, CEO at Centaur Media plc, commented: “This successful disposal is in-line with Centaur's strategy of becoming a pure B2B business. While Home Interest has been strengthened as part of Centaur, now is the right time for it to fulfil its potential under new ownership. We wish the management team every success.”

Richard Fetterman, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory commented: “The Home Interest division attracted strong interest from both strategic purchasers and financial investors, demonstrating the demand for high quality assets that provide relevant information to serve specialist communities. The disposal enables Centaur Media plc to focus its business entirely on B2B information and continue to build its offering in this market.”

The completion of this transaction reinforces Arrowpoint Advisory's credentials in the events and media space following on from the sale of Upper Street Events to Livingbridge of which Arrowpoint Advisory advised the shareholders of Upper Street Events.

Contact the deal team

DISCOVER our sell-side transactions