Centaur acquires Venture Business Research

Centaur will make an initial payment of £2.5m for the digital information, data and analytics business, which specialises in clean energy and global security, with a further payment linked to VBR’s performance in the year to 30 June 2015.

VBR will become part of Centaur’s Business Information Division and its founders and key executives will stay in place following the deal’s completion. In the financial year ending March 2011, the company generated revenues of £0.5m and posted an EBITDA loss of £0.2m.

Centaur CEO Geoff Wilmot (pictured) said: “VBR is an excellent fit with our strategic objectives of growing digital subscription revenues in core expanding international markets. The business provides specialist information in two highly attractive and growing global sectors.

“VBR has invested heavily in its products over the last three years to establish itself as a leading provider to its high value markets and this has held back its profitability. We will now accelerate VBR’s growth by offering an exceptional route to market and the opportunity to enhance the value of its content through our leading brands Perfect Information, The Lawyer and The Engineer.”