Rising Stars sold to Hachette

(January 2015)

Rising Stars is a leading educational publishing company which publishes curriculum, assessment and revision resources for primary schools.  Following its acquisition by Hachette UK, Rising Stars will sit within Hodder Education, the second largest school publisher in the UK.  Andrea Carr, Founder and Managing Director of Rising Stars, and her team of 28 remain with the business.  Andrea Carr will also take on overall responsibility for Hodder Primary (including Rising Stars).

Lis Tribe, Managing Director of Hodder Education, said:  "The acquisition takes Hodder Education a significant step forward in its strategic intent to develop and grow its position in primary markets both in the UK and internationally". 

"I have known and admired Andrea for several years, and have long held a wish that we could work more closely together. Hodder Education and Rising Stars are both successful businesses which have been performing strongly in relation to the market in recent years; I look forward to working with Andrea to ensure we continue to do just that."

Carr said: "I'm really proud of what's been achieved, and there are some very ambitious plans for the development of Rising Stars going forward. I have huge respect for Hodder Education and their approach to educational publishing; becoming part of it will allow Rising Stars to continue to do what it does so well, but it will also provide it with the support it needs to grow into a significant primary education business around the world, not just here in the UK".

Natalina Bertoli, Managing Partner of Bertoli Mitchell, said: "It has been a privilege to represent such a dynamic and successful company as Rising Stars.  We are delighted to have worked with its exceptionally talented management team to complete a transaction through which our client finds such a good home in Hodder Education."

Bertoli Mitchell acted on behalf of Rising Stars' shareholders, helping to structure the transaction, and providing strategic and commercial advice throughout the process.