Field Fisher Waterhouse advises Bloomsbury Publishing Plc on Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack acquisition
05 January 2009
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has advised Bloomsbury, the
publishers of the Harry Potter series, on the acquisition of John
Wisden & Co, a 144-year-old publishing company, for an
undisclosed sum. John Wisden is the publisher of the famous Wisden
Cricketers’ Almanack.
Through this acquisition, Bloomsbury aims to expand its
reference books business, which currently includes Who’s
Who, Schott’s Almanac and Whitaker’s
Almanack.
Field Fisher Waterhouse’s partner Nicholas Thompsell led on the deal, assisted by
corporate lawyers Martin Griffiths and
Hennah Raza and tax lawyer Grant Hamilton.
Field Fisher Waterhouse has worked with Bloomsbury and its
wholly owned subsidiary A&C Black for many years, and, in
September, advised the publishing house on its acquisition of Berg
Publishers, a fashion publishing business. The law firm has a
leading reputation in the media sector, with other publishing
clients including Euromoney and William Reed Business Media.
Nicholas Thompsell said: “We are
delighted to have completed this deal for long standing client,
Bloomsbury. The acquisition of the well known cricket guide will
strengthen the publisher’s position in reference and sports
publishing, growing its reputation in this area.”
The sellers of John Wisden were advised by Charles
Russell.
For further press information, please
contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Manager,
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4120.