Saunders led the business from 2000 to 2006, and sold it to UBM for a reported $27m in 2005. Following the sale, he continued to work with UBM in a variety of roles, most notably as managing director of DeusM, its integrated marketing services division.

On buying Light Reading back (for an undisclosed sum), Saunders plans to double the size of the company’s database of carrier and service provider executives, while adding a dozen new staff ? including eight new editors and analysts.

“The bottom line is that the companies that make up the world’s $2tn telecom supply chain can expect much more coverage from Light Reading, in much more detail,” said Saunders.

UBM will retain a minority stake in the business.