Dennis Publishing Group has been acquired by Exponent Private Equity

Livingstone’s Media & Technology sector team has advised the Executors of the Estate of Felix Dennis and the Heart of England Forest charity (“HoEF”) on the sale of the Dennis Publishing Group (“Dennis”) to Exponent Private Equity.

Dennis is a multi-platform media group which owns a number of award-winning titles including its flagship publication, The Week, operating in the UK and US markets. Its portfolio consists of over 30 brands operating across four main areas of focus: Current Affairs, Technology, Automotive and Special Interest verticals. In addition to The Week, Dennis is home to a number of well-known brands including MoneyWeek, BuyaCar.co.uk, Auto Express, Computer Active, Alphr.com, Cyclist and Viz, among others. Across all its publications it reaches over 50 million unique users and sells over 2.5 million magazines every month.

Dick Pountain, an Executor, commented: “The proceeds of this sale go to the Heart of England Forest, a charity which Felix established during his lifetime. This endowment will enable the charity to fulfil Felix’s vision — planting, and maintaining in perpetuity, a large contiguous broadleaf woodland in the Midlands for public enjoyment.”

Ian Leggett, an Executor and an HoEF Trustee, added: “I cannot speak highly enough of the Livingstone team who guided us through the sale process very professionally, providing sector insights, strategic advice and first rate execution capability throughout.”

Richard Fetterman, Partner at Livingstone, said: “Dennis is a special business with an exceptional portfolio of leading consumer brands. We have very much enjoyed working with the shareholder group and management team and are particularly delighted that the outcome will help ensure that the aim of the HoEF can be achieved and enjoyed for generations to come.”