Collingwood Advises DVV Media International on UK portfolio divestment to Mark Allen Group and Pro Media NV

Collingwood is delighted to announce the successful completion and significant milestone for DVV Media International, a subsidiary of Rheinische Post Mediengruppe.

Collingwood acted as the exclusive strategic and corporate finance adviser on the carveout and divestment of DVV Media International’s UK-based brands. After an initial strategic review and assessment of options available to the shareholders and the individual brands, Collingwood crafted and executed the transaction, by running simultaneous, multi-party negotiations with a number of high-quality buyers. A result that maximised shareholder value, minimised uncertainty, and ensured the optimal strategic home for each brand:

  • The sale of the Road portfolio to Mark Allen Group
  • The sale of the Flight, Heavy Lift, Air Cargo News, Rail and HR portfolio of brands to ProMedia NV.

Both transactions completed at the end of December 2025.

The Road portfolio — comprising market-leading brands including Commercial Motor, Motor Transport, Transport News, and the Road Transport Expo — has been acquired by Mark Allen Group. A UK-based family-owned media business, Mark Allen Group was identified as the ideal partner to continue the legacy of these heritage brands given its strong track record in professional publishing and events.

The remaining portfolios — encompassing Flight (Flight Global), Logistics (Air Cargo News, Heavy Lift), Rail (Railway Gazette), and HR (Personnel Today, Employee Benefits) — have been acquired by ProMedia NV. As a Dutch specialist B2B publisher focused on transport and logistics, ProMedia NV offers a highly credible platform to accelerate the international growth of these data-rich and event-led brands.

A key priority for Collingwood and DVV Media International was ensuring stability for the staff. We are pleased that under both agreements, the relevant dedicated teams will transfer with the assets, ensuring continuity for customers and protecting the deep sector expertise within the business.

Andy Salter, Managing Director at DVV Media International, commented: “Divesting all our brands and assets to multiple buyers in the space of nine months was a big, complex undertaking. It was reassuring to have the Collingwood team alongside us steering a course through the process, managing the negotiations and ultimately keeping all parties aligned to deliver the deals at the same time.”

Connor Agnew, Managing Director of Corporate Finance at Collingwood, commented: “This was a fascinating, complex carveout to advise on, involving multiple brands, parties, and competing strategic considerations. Processes of this nature demand strong deal execution, clear judgment, sector insight, and careful structuring to balance value creation with certainty of outcome. The process attracted strong interest from high-quality buyers, with a number of compelling potential deal permutations. Ultimately, this outcome represents the best result for all stakeholders, with each brand finding the right long-term home. Mark Allen Group and ProMedia NV are two quality, ambitious companies, who will provide excellent platforms to build on the brands’ legacies, growth potential and people, and we are proud to have led a process that delivered such a strong result.”

DVV Media International’s legal advice was led by HCR Law.

For enquiries, contact Rosalind Hill, Head of Marketing: rosalind.hill@collingwood.group

Feedback for Collingwood

“We worked across the table from Collingwood on our purchase of the Road Portfolio from DVV Media International. Connor Agnew and his team navigated the complexity of running concurrent deals, involving the divestment of different parts of DVV to separate buyers with aplomb. We appreciated the calm and good-natured way they conducted the process and, above all, how they managed to keep all parties on track to complete at the same time. No easy feat!”

– Ben Allen, CEO, Mark Allen Group

“Unpicking the various strands must have been very complex and difficult for you. However, I would like to thank you for getting the deal to the finishing line and for the calm and good-natured way the deal was negotiated.”

– Mark Allen, Chairman, Mark Allen Group

“A highly professional team with excellent financial insight and strong media expertise.”

– Joan Blaas, Executive Chairman, ProMedia Group