Trillium Partners Advises Ion Equity On Its Disposal Of Ocean Media Group

Trillium Partners is pleased to announce that it has acted as the exclusive financial adviser to Ion Equity, a Dublin-based mid-market private equity house, on the sale of Ocean Media Group (Ocean) to Lonsdale Capital Partners (Lonsdale).

Ocean is a London-based, UK-focused media business with a portfolio of market leading exhibitions and specialist magazines focused on three sectors: Social Housing, Bridal and Weddings.

Ocean’s Social Housing business owns the leading publications and events in its sector, including the flagship Housing Exhibition and Conference event held in association with the Chartered Institute of Housing. Ocean’s Bridal business comprises a portfolio of business-to-business shows, which connect bridalwear manufacturers with retailers across the UK and international markets, and a trade magazine. The Weddings division comprises the National Weddings Shows, the 30 year-old market-leading consumer weddings events.

Ion Equity acquired Ocean in 2012. Since then, the management team, led by David Moran and David Watt, has delivered excellent results and made several small acquisitions. Lonsdale’s investment will support further organic growth of Ocean’s portfolio of events and magazines, capitalising on excellent rebook rates, yield improvement and underlying market growth. David Moran and David Watt will continue to lead the company under Lonsdale’s ownership.

Trillium Partners: (1) advised on sale strategy and tactics; (2) positioned the business for sale and assisted in the preparation of a full suite of marketing collateral; (3) prepared a long list of prospective buyers (including both trade and private equity parties); (4) led negotiations with prospective buyers and advised on the selection of the preferred buyer; and (5) coordinated a full due diligence process and various legal and accounting work streams.

Stephen Routledge, Managing Director at Trillium, commented:
“Ocean is a fantastic business with leading market positions, recognised brands and robust financials and will be a great addition to Lonsdale’s portfolio. We are extremely pleased to have advised Ion Equity. This transaction adds to Trillium’s long track record of providing corporate finance advice in relation to publishing, information and events businesses.”

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.