Wilmington Regulatory News (WIL)

20 Oct 2005 07:04

Wilmington Group Plc20 October 2005 20 October 2005 WILMINGTON GROUP PLC Acquisition of Ark Group Wilmington Group plc ("Wilmington" or the "Group"), the professional informationand training group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Ark Group ("Ark"). Wilmington has acquired 85% of the issued share capital of Ark for an initialconsideration of £5.355 million in cash with a further payment based on theaudited accounts of Ark for the year to 28 February 2006. Wilmington has enteredinto put and call arrangements for the outstanding 15% of Ark to be acquired by2013. The maximum aggregate consideration payable for 100% of Ark will be £14m. Ark is a well established and profitable business providing publishing andconferences to key professional markets including legal and professionalpractices, international finance, the public sector and information managementprofessionals. Ark organises more than 120 events per year and publishes keytitles including Managing Partner and Inside Knowledge. With offices in London,Chicago, Singapore and Sydney, Ark has grown strongly since its launch in 1994.Turnover in the year to 28 February 2005 was £6.3 million generating profitbefore interest and tax of £748k. The acquisition of Ark will enhance the offering of Wilmington's Legal &Regulatory division with exciting opportunities for leveraging key brands anddatabases, and the exploitation of synergies across the Group. - ends - For further information, please contact: Wilmington Group Plc 020 7422 6800Charles Brady, Chief ExecutiveBasil Brookes, Finance Director Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700Nick Oborne or Yvonne Alexander Note to Editors Wilmington Group plc is one of the UK's leading providers of information andtraining for professional business markets. The Group provides training,arranges industry events and publishes magazines, directories, databases, andspecial reports focused primarily on its five principal sectors of Legal &Regulatory, Healthcare, Media and Entertainment, Drinks and Catering and Designand Construction. Capitalised at approximately £120 million, Wilmington floatedon the London Stock Exchange in 1995. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange