Metropolis is a privately owned media and software company established in 1994 that has grown organically and through acquisitions to 31 brands across 8 offices in the UK. It has transitioned successfully from print to digital revenues over time. Metropolis focuses on acquiring mature, sustainably profitable niche businesses in the range of £200k to £5m annual revenues, with strong customer bases and management teams. It aims to support acquired companies with financial, technology, and strategic support while allowing them to largely continue operating independently.

1. Metropolis
Independent innovators

2. Background
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Revenue £m
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350 Employees
-established
in 1994
-business &
consumer
media,
discount
programmes
and business
software
-31 brands
-8 offices
-privately
owned

3. A changing business
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2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Print
Digital
F2F
Subs

4. Acquisition focus
Why people sell to Metropolis
Speed Certainty Flexibility Platform
What Metropolis is looking for
Mature Sustainable Profits £200k to £5m
Strong in niche Customer mix Management
Maybe dull Software – important to users, recurrent
Not just media or software
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5. Areas of Difference…?
It depends - compared to what?
1. Long-run profitability – no exit or third party considerations,
media neutral - really
2. Federation of entrepreneurial businesses - focussed brand teams
and small centre. Support where needed - finance, tech/digital,
strategy
3. Strength in niches, diverse portfolio
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6. Questions
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