News

EMC Corporate Finance’s second big publishing deal in as many months has seen Ivy Press owner Lewes Holdings sold to The Quarto Group Inc, the leading global illustrated book publisher.

The sale, which puts Ivy Press and its imprints into the hugely successful Quarto International Co-Editions division stable, follows closely on the heels of the acquisition of Lewes illustrated publisher Ilex Press by the Octopus Publishing Group. Legal advice to the Lewes Holdings Group was provided by DMH Stallard.

We have had a close working relationship with Ivy Press stretching back to the formation of the company in 1996. Initially we helped out with the raising of working capital before going on to lead the finance department with our man, Michael Pay, installed as FD. More latterly, Michael and Nik Askaroff have advised the Ivy management on a range of operational and strategic issues.

Jenny Manstead, co-founder of Ivy Press, said: “We would like to thank Nik and Michael for their support over the whole journey of Ivy Press. They have been alongside us all the way, demonstrating the true nature of their ‘Mobile Boardroom’ philosophy and the uniqueness of their advisory proposition.”

She added: “The sale is exactly the right move for Ivy at the right time. Becoming part of Quarto gives us a solid, secure platform from which to develop our publishing programme with the right resources and the right support.”

Nik Askaroff, recently named the South East’s Dealmaker of the Year at the Insider Dealmakers’ Awards 2015, said: “Completing the sale of Ivy Press was a bitter-sweet moment for us as we’ve been involved with the business almost from the word go. But it was an excellent deal both for the owners and for everyone working there.

“It was very pleasing that we were able to seal another deal with one of the big international players in the publishing industry so soon after completing the Ilex Press sale to Octopus. Our expertise in the sector is now widely recognised, and proves that small, experienced specialist advisors such as ourselves can compete and deliver on a global scale.”

Ivy Press is renowned worldwide for its original titles and high quality editorial, design and production values. Its titles have gone from strength to strength in the international co-edition markets, with over 2.5 million copies of the 30-Second Series now in print in 23 languages.

The London-headquartered Quarto Group is the leading global illustrated book publisher and distribution group and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It employs 400 people in four distinct but complementary businesses – Quarto International Co-Editions Group, Quarto Publishing Group USA, Quarto Publishing UK, and Book & Gifts Direct, Australia & New Zealand.

 

(Left to right): Jonathan Grant (DMH Stallard), Michael Pay (EMC Corporate Finance), Stephen Paul, Peter Bridgewater, Jenny Manstead (all Ivy Press), and Simon Bellm (DMH Stallard)

Back to all news