Press Release

Posted on March 18, 2015

Management Buyout at Peter Lang

Peter Lang Children’s Trust sells Publishing Group to Management Team

The Peter Lang Academic Publishing Group is delighted to announce its new ownership. A group of senior management and board members of the company have joined forces in a management buyout deal. This exciting new development means that the future growth and direction of the Group is now in the hands of its key members, allowing it to consolidate its reputation for quality, to acquire new digital tools and to pursue its geographical expansion plans in the Middle East and East Asia on a secure footing.

The Peter Lang Academic Publishing Group publishes 1,800 new titles each year in traditional and digital formats, as well as Open Access and has an active back list of 55,000 plus titles.

For over 40 years it has consistently delivered on its mission of making academic research in the humanities available worldwide. Through its five independent but complementary publishing houses (Switzerland, Germany, USA, UK, Belgium) it provides local expertise to academics, which is key in the humanities and social sciences.

The new management team are Claude Béglé (SymbioSwiss Sarl) as Chairman of the Board, Kelly Shergill as CEO and Deputy Chairman of the Board, Vanessa Weber as CFO and Abdurahman Kaymaz as Head of Warehouse and Logistics. All four have worked closely together for several years and have a clear vision for the future of the Group.

The current owner is the Peter Lang Children’s Trust, based in the UK, which inherited Mr Peter Lang’s estate on his death in 2001. Recently, the Trust have decided to focus on their own field of expertise and after an intensive consultative process supported by the financial advisor Affentranger Associates, www.aasa.com, a purchase agreement was signed. The change in ownership will be fully effective by mid-2015.

Stuart Wilkins who led the process on behalf of the Trust states: “The Trust Board recognised that their expertise is in the children’s charity and they felt an obligation to the memory of Peter Lang and the employees to find a ‘better strategic’ owner for the publishing business that is more able to take the business forward. They see the MBO as an excellent opportunity to achieve this aim.”

Claude Béglé, Chairman of the Board of Directors, confirms: “We have the firm intention to develop Peter Lang further. We are convinced that good global Swiss companies have a bright future, when they are based on quality. This is precisely the case for Peter Lang. We are closely associated with the fast developments taking place in the academic world.”

Kelly Shergill, CEO and Deputy Chairman adds: “Peter Lang is a ‘jewel’ in the publishing industry that quietly yet solidly serves the requirements of academics worldwide. We are a major supplier of content, in whatever form desired by the academic community and agile because of our independence and size, placing the group at the forefront of a rapidly changing industry.”

Key Media Contact: Simon Reber

E-Mail: s.reber@peterlang.com

Tel. +41 323761763

2014 Grant Round

Posted on October 22, 2013 Updated on November 20, 2013

The 2014 Grant Round has now closed. 

The next funding for 2015 will be launched in Autumn 2014.

The Trust has a specific focus on early intervention.  The principal aim of the PLCT is:

“To increase the number of babies and toddlers (aged conception to 3 years of age) in Gloucestershire who experience loving, nurturing and harm-free childhoods”

The closing date for “Expression of Interest” Application Forms was 19th November 2013.

Please see our page on “how to apply”

2013 Grant Launch

Posted on November 7, 2012

24th October saw the formal launch of the Peter Lang Children’s Trust 2013 Grant Round.

At the launch event, a presentation was given that detailed the Trust’s new strategic focus on Early Intervention and gave advice to potential applicants on how to complete a strong application. 

For more information, please go to the ‘How to apply’ page.

Welcome to the Peter Lang Children’s Trust

Posted on August 29, 2012 Updated on August 30, 2012

Through grant funding and a commitment to working in partnership, the Peter Lang Children’s Trust is committed to supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Gloucestershire.

Peter Lang Children’s Trust is a registered charity No. 1121344