UBM to Put Data Services Division Up for Sale

UK-based B2B publisher and data provider UBM is reported to be putting its data services business up for sale, with a price tag of around £250m.

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, in July, UBM (United Business Media) appointed Credit Suisse to carry out a review of the division, and a source told the newspaper that this part of the business is now 'effectively up for sale'.

This includes Vidal, which provides drug information to physicians; technology industry data specialist Techinsights; Piers, which provides data and analytics for the import/export industries; and OAG, which provides data and analytics for the air transport sector.

In UBM's recent financial results, CEO David Levin (pictured) described the division as having had a 'tough half'.

Sources close to the company said that the sale process is likely to begin in the first quarter of next year, which would free up cash for UBM to invest in its tradeshow and conference business overseas, as well as its PR Newswire news distribution service.

Web site: www.ubm.com .