PEI Media Group
Liberty is pleased to announce the management buyout of PEI Media Group Ltd (“PEI”), one of the world’s leading alternative assets information groups, backed by LDC.
Founded in 2001 following a buyout from Euromoney Institutional Investor plc, PEI has developed a portfolio of globally recognised publications, databases and branded events focused exclusively on alternative asset finance and investment. Its products and services sit at the heart of the fast-growing markets of private equity, real estate, infrastructure and private debt.
The PEI publication portfolio includes Private Equity International, PERE, Infrastructure Investor, Real Estate Capital and pfm. PEI has also expanded into emerging alternative investment fields and practices, successfully adding such publishing brands as Private Debt Investor, Agri Investor and Secondaries Investor.
Alongside its core publications and databases, PEI brands host over 50 events globally every year, with flagship annual conferences including Infrastructure Investor Europe in Berlin, PERE Asia in Hong Kong, PEI COOs and CFOs Forum in New York and the PERE Europe in London.
Following the deal, PEI plans to accelerate its investment in new product development, enhance its data-led subscription products and extend the reach of its existing portfolio across the EMEA, US and Asian markets.
As part of the transaction, LDC is backing the strong management team led by Chief Executive Tim McLoughlin and has made a significant equity investment in return for a minority shareholding. The group’s original founders, David Hawkins and Richard O’Donohoe, will continue to hold a minority stake in the company and are becoming non-executive directors.
Tim McLoughlin, Chief Executive of PEI Media Group, said:
“I would emphatically recommend working with Mick, Steve and the Liberty team. In a PE transaction there’s a massive amount for the management team to think about and get right: most of it new and complex, and far removed, from the day job. Liberty were faultless in their coverage of the things that matter – pressing tirelessly for agreements that worked for everyone and always keeping the ‘devil in the detail’ in their sights.”
Mick McDonagh of Liberty Corporate Finance added:
“It was a pleasure working with Tim, Philip, Paul, Colm and Chris at PEI. Alongside, Richard and David, they have built a broad based media business in the alternative assets sector with a clear vision and strategy for continued international growth. We wish them well in delivering this strategy with LDC’s help and support.”