Deep sector roots. Outstanding results.

In the information, media, and events sector, businesses are typically valued on either an EBITDA multiple or an annual recurring revenue (ARR) multiple basis.

At Collingwood, we work closely with shareholders and management to identify the true underlying trading performance of the business. This includes a detailed understanding of historic results and, critically, the future earnings and revenue profile of the business. Our objective is to present the most attractive, credible, and defensible EBITDA and / or ARR figure.

The multiple applied to EBITDA or ARR is influenced by a range of factors, including the quality and sustainability of financial and commercial performance, market positioning and dynamics, and strength of the management team, as well as competitive tension.

As sector specialists, we have deep insight into how buyers and investors value information, media, and events businesses, including a strong understanding of the multiples they are willing to pay in different market conditions. This gives us clarity on a realistic valuation range for our clients’ businesses even before going to market.

There are five core elements that differentiate Collingwood from other M&A or corporate finance advisors.

1. Trusted authority in the market
We are the trusted authority and respected sector specialists in the information, media, and events industry. Our annual Value Creation Summit convenes the leading acquirers, investors, and operators in the market. And our annual Collingwood Market Report is the single authority on M&A in information, media, and events business benchmarks, globally.

Our buyers and investors trust and respect us as a market leader, relying on our intel and insights, thought leadership, and events to inform their strategic decisions.

2. Deep business model insight
We bring genuine insight into the strategic, commercial, and operational dynamics of the sectors and business models we advise. We also work closely with our experienced advisory team, who have lived operator experience and deep sector expertise, so we genuinely understand the challenges and opportunities our clients face and how these influence value, risk, and buyer appetite.

We also support clients earlier in their growth and scaleup journey, helping them build a stronger, more investable business before entering a capital event. This combination of advisory insight and transaction expertise ensures businesses are not only bigger and better,  but genuinely buyer and investor ready.

3. Most active adviser in the market
In 2025, Collingwood advised on seven transactions in the information, media, and events industry, globally. Based on our research this would make Collingwood the most active adviser (by deal volume) in the market.

4. Priority buyer engagement
As sector specialists, we have built long-standing, trusted relationships with the key strategic acquirers and investors in our markets. We understand what they buy, why they buy, how they assess opportunities, how they structure deals, and what drives their pricing and risk decisions.

Early in an engagement, we identify and prioritise the most relevant buyers using our proprietary buyer database and market knowledge. We then facilitate controlled, pre-process engagement with a small number of high-quality buyers, with carefully scripted messaging agreed in advance.

This approach builds early buyer interest and commitment, allows management teams to develop relationships outside the pressure of a live process, and repeatedly leads to stronger competitive tension, improved certainty, and higher value on exit.

5. Market-leading preparation
Our processes are built around rigorous preparation. We create market-leading deal data books that underpin the entire transaction lifecycle. These data books capture the financial, commercial, and operational metrics that buyers and investors need to properly assess an opportunity and put forward their most attractive offer.

We act as a single source of truth for the transaction, supporting sales materials, bidding rounds, trading updates, and due diligence. This level of preparation reduces risk, increases clarity, and consistently drives stronger outcomes.

There are three core elements to how we deliver successful sell-side outcomes.

Project management
A sell-side transaction involves managing many moving parts at once — often 20+ parties across buyers, sellers, advisers, funders, and management teams. Our role is to ensure everyone understands their role, responsibilities, and deadlines. Time is one of the biggest killers of deals, so we focus relentlessly on momentum, minimising slippage, and maintaining alignment to maximise the probability of completion.

Transaction experience and deal judgement
No two deals are the same. Each brings unexpected challenges and moments where judgement matters. We draw on deep sector expertise, trusted global buyer and investor relationships, and a strong track record to set the right strategy and adapt in real time — anticipating issues, responding decisively, and protecting value throughout the process.

Managing the optics
Everything said and done shapes buyer perception. Messaging, sequencing, information flow (and quality thereof), and engagement strategy all influence how attractive and competitive an asset appears. We manage these optics deliberately so buyers understand the quality of the business and the strength of the process.

Ultimately, our job is to protect our clients’ interests at all times: maximising value, minimising risk, and delivering a successful transaction with certainty and pace.