New Owners for UK-Based Pest Publications

Pest, an independent magazine, Pest+ enews and website for pest management professionals published by Foxhill Publishing, has a new owner: Lewis Business Media (LBM). LBM is an independent, specialist business-to-business publisher. Founders Frances McKim and Helen Riby say the move has secured an exciting, long-term future for Pest.The transaction was announced today.

“Both Helen and I would like to thank all our readers for their encouraging comments and contributions and our advertisers for their commitment and financial support. Thanks are also due to our Technical Advisory Board members who have always been very generous with their advice.”

Simon Lewis, LBM managing director said, “I am very pleased we have completed this latest acquisition and I’m looking forward to getting involved in the pest control industry. Frances and Helen have done a great job running the magazine since its inception and I’m delighted they have both agreed to join the Technical Advisory Board and will continue to provide some content. So their expertise will not be lost.

“We plan to retain all that is great about the print magazine delivering news, analysis, technical advice and business features, and we will be looking to enhance the digital offering. The new editor will be Simon King, who certainly has some big shoes to fill."

King is currently the editor of OvertheCounter, a magazine for Suitably Qualified Persons (SQP) in the UK – the professional qualification required to sell certain animal health products. The majority of SQPs work in country stores so they, of course, sell pest control products too – so there is a natural cross over. Advertisers will be looked after by the new commercial team, led by Emma Sharp, sales director. 

Pest was launched in November 2008, since when it has established itself as a leading independent source of information for pest professionals, not only in the UK, but around the world.