Project: Philip Allan Updates
Role: Advised the shareholders of Philip Allan Updates
2006Quayle Munro advises shareholders of Philip Allan on sale to Hodder Headline
March 2006:
Hodder Education has acquired Philip Allan Updates, publishers of magazines, textbooks, revision guides and conference providers for GCSE and A level teachers and students in the U.K.
Hodder Headline is a member of the Hachette Livre group, the third largest book publishing company in the world. The shareholders of Philip Allan Updates were represented by Quayle Munro, the specialist media sector M&A advisor.
Philip Allan Updates is a highly successful secondary school publisher employing 57 people. The business focuses primarily on the A level and GCSE markets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through its books, magazines and conference divisions. The company is experiencing a period of rapid growth, driven by its successful textbook publishing programme.
Philip Allan Updates will become part of the Hodder Education business but will retain its name and will continue to operate from its existing offices near Oxford and Burnley.
Philip Allan retires from his position as Chairman and Managing Director, but has agreed to work as a consultant to the business for a year.
Tim Hely Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Hachette Livre UK, commented "It is an important part of the strategy of Hachette Livre, led by our Chairman, Arnaud Nourry, that we should continue to develop our worldwide presence in educational markets. Hodder Education currently ranks second in secondary education in the UK and this acquisition takes us one step further towards our goal of market leadership."
Philip Allan commented "I am delighted that, after many years of fun and a modicum of success, my business is going to such a good home. I am sure it will thrive and prosper under the leadership of Philip Walters."
