BBC Magazines has announced that it has sold Origin Publishing Ltd and all of the non-BBC related titles published by it to an MBO (Management Buy-out) team led by its current Managing Director, Andy Marshall.

 

BBC Magazines will retain the BBC-branded titles previously produced by Origin in a new subsidiary in Bristol to be called Bristol Magazines Ltd, which will be chaired by Peter Phippen.

 

BBC Magazines conducted an extensive tender process involving a significant number of companies and accepted Origin’s MBO proposal as the highest bid put forward.

 

BBC Magazines will retain a minority stake in Origin Publishing Ltd for a period of time in a staged exit and Origin will continue to provide management services to certain BBC titles during this period. Andy Marshall will also act as Managing Director of Bristol Magazines Ltd.

 

Peter Phippen, BBC Magazines' Managing Director, says: "It’s sad to have to sell Origin, and to be saying farewell to some very talented people but this is in line with the new remit for BBC Magazines.

 

"Origin is an excellent company and I'm sure the MBO team will ensure the business continues to prosper. For our part, we remain committed to Bristol as a publishing centre. Indeed, we are moving Homes & Antiques there and have recently announced our next launch, BBC Mind Games. I’m very excited about our new venture."

 

Andy Marshall, Managing Director, Origin Publishing Ltd, says: "I am delighted that we have the chance to take Origin forward as part of an MBO.

 

"We have a fantastic team here with great vision and passion and I know that the business will continue to grow and develop under their leadership. There are certainly many exciting opportunities ahead of us. I am also delighted to have been asked to manage the development of the BBC’s new venture here in Bristol."

 

Notes To Editors:

BBC Worldwide's advisers in managing the sale process and in evaluating the bids were Ernst & Young.

 

The non-BBC titles being sold are: Blonde Hair, Hair Ideas, Your Hair, Cross Stitch Crazy, Cross Stitch Gold, Cross Stitch Card Shop, DMC Cross Stitch Favourites, DMC Spring Favourites, The World of Cross-stitching, Card Making and Papercraft, Quick Cards Made Easy, Beautiful Cards, Koi and 220 Triathlon.

The titles remaining with the BBC are:

 

Consumer
BBC Focus
BBC History
BBC Music
BBC Sky At Night
BBC Wildlife
Gardens Illustrated

 

Customer
About The House
Breathing Space
HMV Choice
Fast Forward
Good Salon Guide Members Handbook
Power On
Southbank
Southbank Literature Guide
Southbank Music and Dance Guide
T&C
Unlimited
Waterstones Christmas Gift Guide

 

BBC WORLDWIDE