This transaction demonstrates Bates Wells’ growing expertise in the healthcare sector and the international reach of our M&A practice.
Bates Wells’ M&A team acted for long-standing client The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (“RCOG“) on the sale of its world-class academic research journal “BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology” (“Journal“) to the US-based international academic publisher John Wiley & Sons (“Wiley“).
Founded in 1929, RCOG is a registered charity working to improve women’s health care across the world, by setting standards for clinical practice, providing doctors with training and lifelong learning, and advocating for women’s health care worldwide.
During the 117 years of its publication the Journal has been a leading and innovative voice in its speciality. A new 10 year affiliation agreement between RCOG and Wiley ensures an ongoing relationship between RCOG and the Journal that also secures RCOG’s members continued access to the Journal as a part of their membership benefits.
Commenting on the sale, Claire Dunn, Executive Director of External Affairs at RCOG, commented: ‘Bates Wells provided invaluable advice to the RCOG throughout the sale process, supporting the RCOG to achieve our twin goals of ensuring a sustainable future for the Journal while also establishing an ongoing relationship with the Journal. Bates Wells’ expertise across all areas of the transaction was essential in securing this outcome.’
This transaction demonstrates Bates Wells’ growing expertise in the healthcare sector and the international reach of our M&A practice. It also further underlines our market leading position in the charity sector.
Bates Wells’ M&A team: Mark Tasker (Partner) led the cross-departmental M&A team including corporate lawyer David Duhig (Associate), commercial lawyers Richard Marke (Partner) and Laura Hobbs (Solicitor) and employment lawyer Louise Rea (Senior Associate).