PRESS: Takeover rumours swirl after Harwood ups stake in M&C Saatchi

Mon, 10th Nov 2025 14:55

(Alliance News) - M&C Saatchi PLC faces another possible takeover approach, the Telegraph reported on Sunday, as one investor has increased its stake in the troubled advertising agency.

Fund manager Harwood Capital LLP took an initial 3.067% position in London-based M&C Saatchi over the summer via Rockwood Strategic PLC. On October 21, it raised its stake to just over 4.0%.

The Telegraph pointed to "city sources" who suggested Harwood Capital was pushing for changes at M&C Saatchi which may include a breakup or sale.

This comes a week after M&C Saatchi rejected a takeover bid for its Singapore-based performance division from marketing technology firm Brave Bison PLC.

Brave Bison's offer implied a GBP50 million enterprise value for M&C Saatchi Performance. According to M&C Saatchi, the "unsolicited" approach undervalued the segment, which it does not intend to sell given that it forms a "core element" of the ad agency's strategy.

Brave Bison, whose backers include News Corp, acquired marketing education platform MiniMBA from Centaur Media Group PLC earlier this year. The Telegraph reported that Harwood Capital had played a role in Centaur Media's break-up.

M&C Saatchi was the target of takeover attempts back in 2022, including one by its largest shareholder AdvancedAdvT Ltd, chaired by Vin Murria, a former M&C Saatchi board member, and a bid from industry peer Next 15 Group PLC.

In the first half of 2025, M&C Saatchi saw profit of less than half the previous year's level, as it fell to GBP4.3 million from GBP10.8 million. The firm also noted redundancy costs across nine of its businesses during the six-month period.

M&C Saatchi shares were up 0.8% at 129.00 pence apiece on Thursday, having fallen 36% in the last 12 months.

By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporter

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