Baylis Media, owner of the Maidenhead Advertiser and Slough & Windsor Express, has acquired the Henley Standard, a weekly newspaper based in Henley-on-Thames, plus accompanying periodicals and tiles such as Henley Pages and Henley Life from Higgs Group.
Henley Standard is a flagship local newspaper title with a distinguished history in providing local news to the Henley-on-Thames and South Oxfordshire region. It is an award-winning title that has been recognised for its tradition of solid, in-depth reporting with various news, features, diary items, investigations and campaigns.
Amongst its many achievements, the Title claims to have been the first to publish work by George Orwell (the author of acclaimed works such as Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four).
In this transaction, Dow Schofield Watts Thames Valley provided Baylis Media with financial due diligence and certain tax advisory support.
The Dow Schofield Watts team comprised Steve Holmes, with Carla Holmes providing taxation advice.
Baylis Media Ltd is a well-respected and long-established independent publisher that provides news and information in print and online to the east Berkshire area. This acquisition expands their presence into the South Oxfordshire area.
Jeremy Spooner, CEO of Baylis Media, said, “We are delighted to have completed this deal and want to thank Steve Holmes of DSW Thames Valley for his professional and pragmatic approach to providing a robust due diligence process and report that sat at the heart of our decision-making process.”
Steve Holmes, Partner at Dow Schofield Watts, said, “DSW Thames Valley is delighted to have supported Jeremy and Baylis Media on this key strategic acquisition. The tie-up strengthens Baylis’ presence in the region and is a very positive step forward for the continued provision of essential high-quality local news to the community.
We love to help local business leaders achieve their strategic aims. We believe and take pride in providing reports that are at once robust and credible whilst being insightful and helpful. What made this job even better was working so closely with Jeremy and his other advisers, assisting with technical areas outside the report, all of which combined to ensure a successful outcome”.
Dow Schofield Watts’ Midlands office has advised JPS Projects, a leading provider of specialist retrofit services with operations in Manchester, Chesterfield and Hemel Hempstead, on its private equity investment from Cordovan Capital Management.
