Bingley digital publisher Emerald Group acquires Towards Maturity

Bingley-headquartered Emerald Group has completed the acquisition of Towards Maturity, an independent research company that provides expert advice and support to help organizations accelerate business performance through learning.

Towards Maturity officially joined Emerald Group effective from 31st May 2017, and will continue to operate as an independent business, led by Laura Overton as CEO.

Emerald currently manages a range of digital products, a portfolio of over 300 journals, more than 2,500 books and over 1,500 case studies.

Richard Bevan, Emerald Group CEO, said: “We’ve been extremely impressed by the work of Towards Maturity over the last 14 years, in advancing understanding among the professional learning community and helping organizations use learning data to directly improve their business performance.

“The work of the Towards Maturity Community Interest Company, of which Emerald Group is a strategic partner, aligns with the values of Emerald and our Chairman, Dr Keith Howard, as reflected in his support for lifelong learning since Emerald’s foundation in 1967. We are committed to ensuring the work of the community group continues with independence and integrity as part of a company that shares its values and aims.”

Laura Overton, CEO of Towards Maturity, added: “We are thrilled to now be part of the Emerald Group family. Our independent benchmark programme supports business impact through learning innovation and has now reached 55 countries.

“The support of a global business and research network will help take the important work of the community to a bigger stage.

“Emerald Group’s vision of helping their communities make decisions that count based on research that matters is an aim we firmly share, and this announcement comes at a timely moment as we have opened our latest industry benchmark to L&D leaders around the globe.”

Towards Maturity were advised by Fergus Payne of Lewis Silkin LLP. The Group were advised by Jonathan Procter of DLA Piper LLP.