Trillium Partners Extends Its Educational And Academic Publishing M&A Sector Experience

Trillium Partners Limited (Trillium), the independent corporate finance advisory firm, is pleased to announce that it has advised Hachette UK (Hachette) on the disposal of its internationally-renowned Health Sciences and Higher Education portfolios by Hodder Education, its education division, to Taylor & Francis Group (Taylor & Francis), a leading academic publisher owned by Informa plc. Consisting of high quality, award-winning, specialist educational and professional titles, the portfolios have a reputation for excellence in the UK and around the world. The Health Sciences portfolio publishes leading textbooks (such as Bailey & Love’s Short Practice of Surgery) and series focused on the education, training and career needs of medical students and professionals. The Higher Education portfolio focuses on niche, specialist higher education segments with particular strength in Modern Languages, Linguistics, Law, Geography and Psychology. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Trillium specialises in M&A, financial restructuring and fund raising transactions and corporate finance advice. The firm has a core expertise in information products and digital media, providing support for clients as they undertake transactions to position themselves for sustainable future growth and profitability.

Trillium advised Hachette on all aspects of the sale. In particular, Trillium co-ordinated the sale process and assisted Hachette with negotiation, valuation and reviewing transaction structuring options.

Thomas Webster, CEO of Hodder Education, commented:
“I am delighted that the Health Sciences and Higher Education portfolios have found a new home that will support their continued development and growth. Taylor & Francis is an ideal partner for these historic titles. Trillium’s management of the sale process, from the preparation of the information memorandum to final negotiations, was pivotal in securing a compelling deal.”

Stephen Routledge, Managing Director at Trillium, added:
“Trillium was excited to assist Hachette in finding a strategic buyer for its Health Sciences and Higher Education portfolios. The titles are an impressive collection with a distinguished history, global presence and attractive digital opportunities. There is an exceptional fit with Taylor & Francis and we are proud to have advised Hachette in their sale process. Following last year’s sale of The Continuum International Publishing Group Limited to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, this transaction further demonstrates Trillium’s leading sector expertise in the Educational and Academic publishing M&A market.”

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.