Pest and Pest+ enews were sold yesterday (22 Jan 2020) by owners Foxhill Publishing.
The sale of the pest management magazine, launched in 2008, has "secured an exciting, long-term future for Pest", say founders Frances McKim and Helen Riby.
The new owners are Sussex-based Lewis Business Media (LBM).
Formed in February 2012, LBM is an independent publisher, boasting a range of specialist titles in both print and online media, including a number of titles in the agriculture sector.
Helen Riby comments: “We are very proud of what we’ve achieved with Pest over the past 11 years, but there is a limit to how much two people can do!
"Finding a new owner to take the publication on to its next stage hasn’t been easy. Our most important consideration was to ensure the publication retains its independence.
"We are very happy that our search has been fruitful. In Lewis Business Media we have found a small, specialist, independent publisher with all the right skills to nurture
our baby.”
But, as Frances McKim explains: “Pest control won’t be getting rid of us that easily! Rest assured we are not doing a moonlight flit, never to be seen again.
"We will still be attending events, involved making sure things get handed over smoothly and providing editorial content – although obviously, over the longer term, our contributions will reduce.
“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 says: “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!
“The new Pest team will all be at PPC Live in Harrogate on 11 March. We look forward to meeting readers and advertisers alike!”