The acquisition will propel CPL One Group’s growth strategy and allow it to become an even stronger force in the agencies’ specialist sectors which include print and digital publishing for the creative sector, media sales and marketing communications.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Cambridge, CPL creates and delivers strategic content marketing and has a reputation for excellence among membership and professional bodies, commercial organisations, brands, government, and charities.
By joining forces with Century One and its stablemate Cabbells, the CPL One Group will have 70 employees, plus freelance support and will continue to operate from offices in both Cambridge and St Albans. The group will share more than 30 retained clients between them, and the combined annual revenues are on course to exceed £10 million.
Sarah Simpson, Managing Director of Century One and Cabbells, said “We share similar philosophies, and this move allows us to create a strong and exciting combined platform for future growth.”
Regarding the acquisition, CPL Managing Director Mike Sewell said “In the short term, it will be business as usual as we continue to focus on delivering a great service for our clients. In the longer term, we are confident that our employees, along with current and future clients, will benefit from the shared expertise and experience of the combined group.”
Lake Falconer, Partner at PEMCF said “We advised Mike and his team on the original MBO of CPL in 2017 and so it’s great to be involved again, this time advising on the acquisition of CenturyOne. This looks like a good fit for CPL both commercially and culturally. It also brings with it a talented team of people.”
Duncan Walker of BDB Pitmans provided legal advice to CPL.
