Regional publisher National World has continued its acquisitions spree by buying a specialist regional business magazine group.
The Business Magazine Group, based in Camberley, Surrey, publishes two editions of The Business Magazine, one covering the South East and other the South West and West Midlands.
Formerly known as Black Ox Media, it also owns the specialist business websites Dorset Biz News and Hampshire Biz News, which it acquired in January 2023.
Dorset Biz News was originally launched by former Bournemouth Echo business editor Andrew Diprose in 2019.
Black Ox had itself previously acquired Gloucestershire-based NK Media in 2022, enabling it to expand from its Surrey based and launch its South West edition.
Now the entire TBMG stable will be integrated into National World’s business events and publishing division Insider Media, which it bought in 2023.
As well as publishing magazines, TBMG operates seven market-leading B2B events serving the business community in the South of England.
In a statement, National World said the acquisition was “further advancing its strategy to become the most comprehensive platform for business and company news and information across the regions of the UK.”
Executive chairman David Montgomery said: “We are delighted that the Business Magazine Group is joining our growing portfolio of events and business titles.
“TBMG perfectly complements our existing portfolio of Insider brands in the South East and South West of England.
“Events in particular are a key growth category for National World and the BMG events will help accelerate that growth and strengthen our market position in a key geographical territory of the UK.
“We look forward to welcoming the BMG team into the Insider Group in the coming weeks.”
Peter Tracey of Hurtwood Capital Limited, which owns TBMG, commented: “It has never been more important for regional businesses to have a voice and presence, to be heard and to be seen. The Business Magazine has been a trusted business brand for over 30 years, with a clear purpose of championing regional businesses and issues in the South of England.
“I am confident that this acquisition by Insider, part of the ambitious National World group, will continue that purpose and be of great benefit to colleagues, advertisers, sponsors and our audience.”
As reported last week, National World is itself currently the subject of a possible takeover bid by Media Concierge, owned by Malcolm Denmark.
It is already a significant shareholder in National World and has offered 21p a share for the 72pc of the company it doesn’t already own.