Private equity firm Lonsdale Capital Partners has acquired a majority stake in Ocean Media Holdings Limited, a provider of UK based events, specialist publications and online solutions addressing three sectors – Social Housing, Bridal and Weddings.
Each of Ocean Media’s Business lines has been established for more than 30 years and is led by acknowledged experts in their fields.
The largest division is Social Housing which runs a number of sector leading events and conferences including the flagship “Housing 2016” in association with the Chartered Institute of Housing. They are supported and promoted by award winning, key industry magazine and digital publications Inside Housing and Social Housing.
Ocean Media also run the eight National Wedding consumer shows covering London and the South East, the Midlands, the North West and the North East of the UK.
The third arm of the business is Bridal, a business to business portfolio of shows, a trade magazine and website which are the leading products in their sectors.
Lonsdale is backing the current management team of David Moran and David Watt. Moran has been involved in the business since 2003, prior to the original buy out from Trinity Mirror, and will become Ocean Media’s Chairman, focusing on strategy and growth but continuing his involvement in running the business. David Watt, who joined Ocean in 2012, will run the business on a day-to-day basis and will work closely with Lonsdale and David Moran on growing the Ocean Portfolio.
Growth will be primarily focused on developing the existing business, but the Group is also considering several relevant bolt-on acquisitions.
James Knott, Director at Lonsdale Capital Partners, says: “We are delighted to have supported the MBO of Ocean Media. Each of the three existing business divisions has extremely strong positions in their respective sectors, which is testament to the quality of their offerings. The business represents an excellent platform for growth, and we are looking forward to working with David and the team to help it realise its potential.”
Moran says: “Ocean Media is an incredibly strong business which has enjoyed substantial growth over recent years. In Lonsdale we have found the ideal partner to support our ambitious plans. The strength of Ocean is its great people, and the focus they have on providing a profitable and enjoyable interaction with any Ocean product for all of our customers. With the backing of Lonsdale we will continue to develop and grow.”
