Trillium Partners Limited (Trillium), the independent corporate finance advisory firm, is pleased to announce that it has advised Hachette UK Limited (Hachette) and Hodder & Stoughton Limited (Hodder), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hachette, on the recommended cash offer for Quercus Publishing plc (Quercus). The offer, which valued Quercus’ issued share capital at £12.6 million, was declared wholly unconditional on the first closing date, 24th April, 2014.

Quercus is an international publisher with offices in London and New York which specialises in commercial fiction, non-fiction and children’s publishing in digital and print formats and incorporates the MacLehose Press, Jo Fletcher Books and Heron Books imprints. Quercus has helped authors become established brand names and published the international bestsellers by Stieg Larsson that comprise the Millennium Trilogy.

The acquisition of Quercus is consistent with Hachette’s strategy of expanding its existing portfolio through targeted acquisitions. With Hodder’s funding resources and sales reach, Quercus is positioned for further success under Hodder’s ownership.

Trillium advised Hachette and Hodder on all aspects of the public offer for Quercus. In particular, Trillium oversaw the entire acquisition process by assisting with offer strategy, negotiations, facilitating shareholder acceptances and ensuring full compliance with the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Tim Hely Hutchinson, Chief Executive of Hachette UK and Chairman of Hodder, commented:
“Thank you so much for all your fantastic work towards getting us to going unconditional today. You have worked miracles to get us to over 95% acceptances in a relatively short time. I am really glad that we chose to be represented by Trillium.”

Stephen Routledge, Managing Director at Trillium, added:
“Trillium was delighted to advise Hachette and Hodder on a public offer for Quercus. Public takeover offers are always complex transactions, and we are glad to have delivered an excellent result for our client in a competitive process. This is the second time we have advised Hachette – the acquisition of Quercus affirms Trillium’s leading expertise in publishing M&A and reflects what Trillium does best: delivering the highest quality corporate finance advice on the foundation of a trusted relationship.”

About Trillium Partners
Trillium Partners is an independent mid-market firm that advises listed companies, private firms and financial sponsors on M&A and Private Capital raising transactions valued at £20 million to £500 million in the B2B Information Services and Events, Consumer Media, Learning and Development, and Marketing Services.

Over the last 30 years, we have advised our clients on a comprehensive array of transactions in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia, with an aggregate value in excess of £10 billion. Underpinned by deep sector knowledge and insight, our expertise extends from private acquisitions and disposals to public offers and raising capital from the private equity, family office, banking and alternative finance communities for working capital, business development, acquisitions and buy-outs.

For more information regarding this transaction, please contact Stephen Routledge or Philip Mastriforte on +44 (0)20 3008 8375