5 September 2006

BPIF McInnes Corporate set up to help buy and sell companies in UK print

The BPIF has established a joint venture with McInnes Corporate Finance to improve and accelerate consolidation within the UK printing industry. BPIF McInnes Corporate is headed up by the BPIF’s Marcus Clifford and Steve Roberts of McInnes. In addition to its proven expertise completing successful deals both within and outside the UK printing industry, McInnes will be supervising BPIF McInnes Corporate’s activities in recommending, advising or arranging deals in investments under the requirements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales (ICAEW). Michael Johnson came up with the idea to meet the industry’s need for profitable consolidation: “All too often companies merge or acquire for the wrong reason and with limited advice which may result in them making the wrong choices. Consolidation should strengthen an industry however that is not always the case in print. My aim is to create an organisation that can help companies make the right strategic choices for their future and groom them for that process and subsequently provide a full range of financing options that allows the new business to flourish. We believe that the partnership between McInnes and the BPIF will enable us to achieve that objective.” Steve Roberts commented: "We have concluded several deals in the print and media sector over recent years and we are flattered that this experience has been recognised by the BPIF in choosing us as its partner in offering corporate finance advisory services to its membership base and the overall sector. We have a strong, experienced team of professionals with a proven track record in delivering value to clients through our activities in acquisitions, disposals, fundraising and general M&A. We are confident that our relationship with the BPIF will flourish and offer a unique solution to clients in the sector." Marcus Clifford has been working on the initiative for some months and has already received considerable interest in the service: “The offer of industry experience and network, a wide range of corporate finance expertise and the additional advisory services of the BPIF is a combination not currently available. Together this should enable us to deliver a higher success rate for mergers, acquisitions, disposals or management buy-outs.” The service will be on offer through the UK. For more information about BPIF McInnes Corporate and current business opportunities please visit www.britishprint.com/corporate.