Finance Yorkshire Equity Fund investment in GSE Research

(October 2011)

A new venture has been created to offer a different approach to scholarly publishing.

John Peters, the former CEO of Emerald Group Publishing, is re-entering the market with GSE Research Limited, which is being partially funded by Finance Yorkshire.

Leeds-based GSE Research (www.gseresearch.com) is a specialist online scholarly publisher in governance, social responsibility, sustainability and environment for policymakers and practitioners. It aims to publish a variety of materials including academic working papers, corporate research and e-books.

It has already established partnerships with a number of high profile organisations in India, the USA and Belgium.

The company has also established the GSE Social Enterprise Fund, which guarantees a percentage of the company's revenue to good causes internationally.

Finance Yorkshire's Equity Fund has invested in GSE Research to enable the company to expand its reach into the global market.

John Peters, chief executive of GSE Research, said: "New business is the engine of a successful economy, but this is a very difficult time to be starting a business and establishing funding."

"We are delighted to be supported by Finance Yorkshire and advisors at Squire Sanders Hammonds in Leeds, and are pleased they share our vision for the business. Sustainable management and good governance are such important areas where we are pleased to be playing our part."

"GSE is committed to ethical trading standards. We believe a for-profit business should contribute to the community it draws from and serves. Our social enterprise fund pledges ten percent of our annual revenues to good causes, chosen by our community of members. We operate a fair and transparent pricing policy, and non-restrictive author agreements."

Craig Hopwood, who led the investment on behalf of the Fund, added: "GSE is aiming to bring an exciting and different approach to a quite traditional industry, and Finance Yorkshire is delighted to be able to support this venture in its early stages. "

"John has a very strong background in the sector, having successfully grown and developed much larger businesses and we are looking forward to working with him and the management team he has built around him."

The Finance Yorkshire Equity Fund was advised on its investment by Bertoli Mitchell, led by Bill Mitchell, who also introduced Caxtonia, led by Adrian Driscoll. Pinsent Masons, led by Michelle Kershaw and Peter Wood, acted as the Fund's legal advisers.

Squire Sanders Hammonds' corporate partner, Jonathan Jones led the team advising GSE Research, alongside senior associate Jayne Aarons.

The transaction was completed on 31 October.