CPL, founded in 1996 as Cambridge Publishers Ltd, provides content marketing services – such as copywriting, video and graphic design – across both digital and print channels.
Retained clients include global corporates such as AB InBev, AstraZeneca and EY, leading membership organisations like the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and the Newmarket-based Godolphin racing and breeding operation.
The CPL team has strong journalistic credentials, having been established by senior national broadsheet newspaper professionals Mark Rosselli and Jonathan Wilson, who had worked previously in senior editorial roles at The Observer and The Independent.
The MBO ensures CPL has a robust leadership succession strategy and establishes an ownership and management structure to support its continued growth.
Led by Managing Director Mike Sewell, the MBO has broadened the ownership to include a number of key members of the existing team. Mark and Jonathan remain as shareholders and are continuing to play an active role advising a number of clients.
Lake Falconer and Tony Stairs at PEM Corporate Finance helped the vendors complete the transaction.
Lake Falconer, Corporate Finance Partner, said: “We’re delighted to have helped Mark, Jonathan and Mike put this succession structure in place. The deal puts CPL in a good position to go for growth and continue to benefit from the expertise and knowledge of its founders.”
CPL’s Mike Sewell added: “We had been thinking about a succession strategy for a while and Lake and Tony provided excellent advice and support from start to finish. Importantly, we managed to complete the transaction without it having a noticeable impact on our business performance. The deal was completed just before Christmas 2016 and I am really pleased with how the new team is bedding in.”
Duncan Walker, of Greenwoods Solicitors, and Oliver Phillips, of Dixon Phillips, provided legal advice.
Image: [L-R] Mark Rosselli, Mike Sewell, Lake Falconer, Jonathan Wilson
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