PEI Media, the leading information and networking-events provider for global private capital markets, and publisher of New Private Markets, announced today that it has acquired Response Global Media. The business acquired by PEI Media comprises notable subscription brand Responsible Investor and related information assets Responsible Company and RI Research. It also includes a global events portfolio.

The acquisition substantially increases PEI Media’s reach and influence in ESG, sustainability and impact investing: one of the most dynamic areas of change driving the transformation of public and private investment markets worldwide. Demand for high-quality information and market connection/influence is increasing rapidly.

Tim McLoughlin, CEO, PEI Media said: “Hugh Wheelan, Tony Hay and the RGM team have built a remarkable reputation and a uniquely prescient enterprise in their founding of RGM. We’re extremely pleased they’ve chosen PEI as the right home for their business in the next chapter of growth.

“We’re excited that Tony and Hugh and the entire RGM team are joining PEI. Our common entrepreneurial drive and focus on editorial qualities and client needs makes for a great combination. This deal opens up excellent growth opportunities and brings together a strong team of talented people to work with.

“In RGM we see huge potential to build on the growth of strongly established, high-quality subscription brands and to increase our presence in a key growth area of the market. Responsible Investor, Responsible Company and RI Research have excellent overlap with our existing activities so there is lots of positive synergy with PEI’s existing ESG-focused activities, including our sustainability-focused New Private Markets title.”

Paul McLean, chief commercial officer, PEI Media commented: “The brands and products joining us today are rightly famous in their markets and highly regarded by their customers. Strong subscription renewal rates and great customer growth velocity demonstrates the keen market interest there is in quality coverage of sustainable investment themes.”

Hugh Wheelan and Tony Hay, co-founders and joint managing directors of RGM, said: “We are very excited to be joining PEI at this ‘big bang’ moment as ESG/responsible investment and strategic corporate sustainability go mainstream. The combination of PEI’s highly regarded private markets specialism and RGM’s public markets and company expertise is extremely potent, and we both share a vision of driving high-quality journalism, events and information in ESG and impact for companies and their investors across a broad range of asset classes.”

PEI Media was advised on the transaction by Grant Thornton with legal advice from Squire Patton Boggs.

RGM was advised on the transaction by Cardean Bell with legal advice from Farrer & Co. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About PEI Media
PEI Media engages specialist communities in the world’s private asset markets and related fields – with 13 well-known brands providing information, events and advertising solutions for real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt, and other asset markets. Established in 2001, the company publishes PERE, Real Estate Capital, Infrastructure Investor, Private Debt Investor, Private Funds CFO, Regulatory Compliance Watch, Secondaries Investor, Agri Investor, Private Equity International, Buyouts, PE HUB, Venture Capital Journal and New Private Markets. Its events portfolio comprises 40+ annual conferences around the world.

PEI Media has operations in New York City, London, Hong Kong, Washington, Tokyo and Sydney. It employs 300 staff globally.