Reed Business Information sells New Scientist magazine

Science news publications New Scientist has been bought by Kingston Acquisitions Limited, a company launched specifically to acquire the publication from Reed Business Information.

The publication was acquired by Sir Bernard Gray, Louise Rogers and Matthew O’Sullivan who launched Kingston Acquisitions Limited after acquiring UK weekly publication the Times Educational Supplement (TES) from News International, launching it globally as an internet brand.

Gray, executive chairman of Kingston Acquisitions Limited, said: “We feel we can build on that heritage by combining the success our team has had in a numerous publishing ventures with the deep sector and market knowledge of the in-house team.

“In a world where science and technology is playing a more and more central role in people’s lives, providing an understanding of the accelerating pace of change in science is a huge growth opportunity for New Scientist.”

RBI divested New Scientist in order to focus on its data and analytics business.

David Wilson, RBI managing director, said: “We would like to thank all of the staff for their dedication and commitment to the company over the years and we look forward to the continued success of New Scientist.”

Selling New Scientist leaves RBI with aerospace publication FightGlobal, agriculture focused Proagrica, chemical publication ICIS, data offering Accuity, HR publisher XpertHR, property focused Estates Gazette, Community Care and tax orientated Nextens.

Kingston Acquisitions Limited are aiming to increase the New Scientist’s digital products and appeal to a wider audience.

The company  will work with New Scientist’s current publisher John MacFarlane, editor-in-chief Jeremy Webb and editor Sumit Paul-Choudhury to maximise the publication’s global potential.

MacFarlane said in a statement: “I have had the pleasure of working with Bernard, Louise and the rest of the team in recent times, and I am delighted we have been able to come together in a new company.

“This is just the kind of injection of expertise and energy we need. I would like to thank RBI for their support over many years, and I look forward to the great new opportunities that lie ahead,” he said.

Kingston Acquisitions Limited is set to rebrand as New Scientist Limited once the acquisition of the magazine is complete.