Emerald Global Publishing Group Acquires GoodPractice

Global player in the publishing industry, Emerald Global Publishing Group (further referred to as ‘the Group’), today announces the successful acquisition of GoodPractice, providers of cutting edge performance support tools for leaders and senior managers. The acquisition enables the Group to extend its reach into the professional learning and development, education and training sectors, with a focus on digital learning solutions.

The global e-learning market continues to flourish, driven by the demand for blended, accessible, cost-effective learning methods with evolving digital capabilities. With global acceptance of e-learning increasing in both higher education and professional markets, the acquisition of GoodPractice comes with the aim to strengthen the Group’s value proposition in the professional learning and development markets.

Richard Bevan, Group CEO, comments: “GoodPractice has a reputation for exceptionally high-quality content, outstanding customer service and an impressive management team, making it a very strong strategic and cultural fit for the Group. GoodPractice’s unique focus on leadership and management content is complementary to the Group’s existing business activities, providing the Group with an opportunity to advance its strategy of increasing impact in the professional and corporate markets.

“E-learning enhances methods of creating, sharing and distributing knowledge, making it increasingly accessible to all, the sentiment of which is at the heart of the Group’s operations,” concludes Bevan.

GoodPractice CEO Peter Casebow, adds: “For fifteen years, GoodPractice has been developing a product offering which comprehensively supports the learning and development needs of leaders and managers. Our focus on performance support and on-demand resources was ahead of its time, putting us at the forefront of these evolving trends in L&D. We’re delighted with the acquisition by the Group, and look forward to working with them to further develop our product offering as well as utilising their international network to bring our outstanding products to the global audience.”

GoodPractice, which will continue to operate under that name, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, effective from 12 June 2015 . The GoodPractice Board will comprise of existing directors, CEO Peter Casebow and COO Owen Ferguson, plus Richard Bevan (Chairman), Simon Cox (Finance Director) and Chris Keenan (Business Development Director).

The shareholders of GoodPractice were advised by Andrew Ewing of Johnston Carmichael LLP and Sandy Finlayson & Kenny Mumford of MBM Commercial LLP. The Group was advised by Graeme Hurst of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Jonathan Procter of DLA Piper LLP and Adrian Sims of Korn Ferry.

Subsidiaries of the Group now include: Emerald Group Publishing, GoodPractice and Research Media.
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