Formerly at BBC Worldwide in a range of strategic, M&A and operational roles, and most recently a director at KPMG, Robson has 17 years’ corporate finance experience in the media industry, with particular strengths in B2B information and B2C publishing, education, broadcasting and the online/digital space.
He has advised listed companies, privately owned businesses and private equity firms on a range of transactions, including the disposal of Virgin Media’s TV/internet home shopping business Sit-up, the acquisition of eight Midlands radio licenses from Global Radio, and the sale of Huveaux plc’s education division to HarperCollins.
Speaking on Robson’s appointment, Dominic Bolton, practice leader of Grant Thornton’s corporate finance media and entertainment division, said: “These are exciting times in media and we are delighted that James has joined our team. We are seeing increasing M&A activity across the sector with the convergence of technology and media driving deal activity and fuelling growing valuations. On the other hand businesses in structural decline, such as newspapers, are under increasing pressure to consolidate. The team advised on 20 transactions across all media markets during 2010 and we are expanding our team to respond to the increasing demand.
“James brings with him extensive industry experience that will benefit our existing media clients and help build further on our already strong credentials in the industry. He will also help to broaden Grant Thornton’s offering to corporate and private equity clients with his knowledge of online/digital as well as specific markets such as consumer publishing and education,” Bolton added.
Mark Henshaw, National Head of Media and Entertainment, added: “The firm has one of the industry’s largest group of directors and partners exclusively dedicated to the media sector. They lead teams providing Assurance, Tax, Due Diligence and Corporate Finance advice across all the core markets in media, including publishing and events, marketing services and TV production and distribution. James is a welcome addition to this core team and he will work alongside our other highly experienced partners to build on our market-leading client offering.
