Fund Selector Asia’s parent company has been sold to Bonhill, a UK-based media company quoted on London’s Aim market.
The deal was announced on 25 March and involves a conditional agreement to acquire Last Word for an initial consideration of £8m ($10.5m).
The maximum payable, subject to certain earnings thresholds being met, is £20m.
Expanded reach
Bonhill focuses on three sectors: technology, diversity and financial services.
Its financial titles include consumer brands What Investment and Growth Company Investors in the UK, as well as Investment News in the US.
The firm also runs a range of diversity-led events, including the global Women in IT and Women in Finance series.
Following completion of the deal, the two companies will have asset and wealth management brands in the US, Europe, the UK, the Middle East, southern Africa and Asia.
Simon Stilwell, chief executive of Bonhill, said: “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Last Word, a leading international B2B media business servicing the global asset management sector.
“Bringing our two businesses together will enable Bonhill to provide a truly global sales and marketing proposition to the international asset management community and provides the opportunity to leverage Investment News‘ presence and platform to expand its existing propositions in the US.
“These are exciting times for the company and we look forward to the period ahead.”
No senior changes
Last Word co-founders Rod Boulogne (chief executive), Jamie Hinchliffe (group managing director), Dylan Emery (editorial director) and Tom Porter (Asia managing director) will all remain in their respective roles.
“My partners and I had two overarching priorities during the sale of Last Word,” said Tom Porter, managing director for Asia.
“Firstly, any acquirer should enhance Last Word’s ability to serve its clients more efficiently and have a similar emphasis on product quality. Secondly, that our fantastic team should be given more opportunities and a company that they would be proud to be part of.
“In Bonhill, we believe we have found such a partner. We look forward to our next phase of growth under the Bonhill umbrella as we strive to be the strategic partner of choice for asset and wealth managers.”
As a strong sign of confidence in the combined group, the Last Word partners have taken £2m of the initial consideration of the sale proceeds in Bonhill shares.
