Western Business Media

What Western Business Media does

Western Business Media Limited (WBM) is a UK-based, privately held B2B publishing and events company headquartered in East Grinstead, West Sussex. It operates seven niche trade publications covering health and safety, fire safety, cleaning, industrial plant and equipment, security, controls/drives/automation, and logistics, with controlled-circulation distribution reaching 40,000+ named industry professionals (notably via Security Matters). The company also organises four flagship industry events and awards programmes — the Safety & Health Excellence (SHE) Awards, Fire & Security Matters Awards, Cleaning Excellence Awards and Tomorrow's Warehouse Event — and runs an in-house PR, content creation, design, media buying and contract publishing services arm serving industry bodies (BSIF, IIRSM, SSAIB) and event organisers.

The core offering is built on multi-decade brand equities (Industrial Plant & Equipment is in its 26th year) combined with a younger growth title (Security Matters, launched 2019) and embedded relationships with key UK sector stakeholders including HSE, British Safety Council, BOHS, RoSPA and IIRSM. WBM bundles print, digital and in-person distribution channels and holds official-publication status at major industry events including The Security Event, International Security Expo and Intersec Dubai.

WBM monetises through three primary streams: (1) B2B advertising across its seven publications (advertising revenue), (2) events and awards income from exhibitor booth fees, sponsorship, and awards tables/seats (professional services-style revenue), and (3) PR, content creation, design/production, media buying, event logistics, videography and contract publishing services for external clients. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with series discounts for advance booking. The company has 11-50 employees and is operated under the leadership of CEO Mark Sennett, Managing Director Keith Gabriel and COO Danny Kosifou.

Name

Western Business Media

Legal name

Western Business Media Limited

Website

https://westernbusiness.media

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Western Business Media is a UK-based B2B publishing and events company operating seven niche trade publications across health and safety, fire safety, security, cleaning, industrial, automation and logistics, alongside industry awards and in-house PR and contract publishing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Media & B2B Publishing

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (513120), Periodical Publishers (51312)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health, Fitness & Wellness Magazines (MPAJAEAD), Technology & B2B PR (MPAAADAC)

Keywords

• B2B trade publishing
• Industry events and awards
• Health and safety media
• Contract publishing services
• Industrial trade media

Headquarters

HQ city

East Grinstead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Publishing & Advertising: Publishes leading business-to-business titles including Health & Safety Matters, Fire Safety Matters, Security Matters, Cleaning Matters, Industrial Plant & Equipment, Controls Drives & Automation, and Logistics Matters. Generates revenue through print and digital advertising space sales across all publications.
2. Events & Awards: Organises and hosts prestigious B2B conferences, exhibitions and awards including the Safety & Health Excellence (SHE) Awards, Fire & Security Matters Awards, Cleaning Excellence Awards, and Tomorrow's Warehouse Event. Revenue generated from exhibitor booth fees, sponsorship, and table/seat bookings for awards events.
3. PR & Contract Publishing Services: Provides in-house PR, content creation, design/production, media buying, event logistics, videography, and media sales services to external clients including industry associations and event organisers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Western Business Media publishes a portfolio of seven independent B2B trade titles (Health & Safety Matters, Fire Safety Matters, Security Matters, Cleaning Matters, Industrial Plant & Equipment, Controls Drives & Automation, and Logistics Matters) delivered through print, digital and email channels to named industry professionals across the UK. The company also organises major B2B conferences, exhibitions and awards (SHE Awards, Fire & Security Matters Awards, Tomorrow's Warehouse Event, Cleaning Excellence Awards) and provides in-house PR, content creation, design, media buying, event logistics, videography and contract publishing services to external clients including industry associations and event organisers.

Product overview

Western Business Media is a B2B publishing and events company offering a portfolio of publications across UK business sectors along with organized conferences, exhibitions and awards. The core offering consists of seven publications (Health & Safety Matters, Fire Safety Matters, Cleaning Matters, Industrial Plant & Equipment, Security Matters, Controls Drives & Automation, and Logistics Matters) that provide independent business intelligence through print, digital and event platforms. The company also organizes four major events/awards programs (SHE Awards, Fire & Security Matters Awards, Tomorrow's Warehouse Event, and Cleaning Excellence Awards) and offers in-house PR, design, content creation and contract publishing services to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Health & Safety Matters: B2B publication published 6 times a year covering health and safety market innovations, independent news, and industry guidance.
• Fire Safety Matters
• Cleaning Matters
• Industrial, Plant & Equipment
• Security Matters
• Controls, Drives & Automation
• Logistics Matters
• Safety & Health Excellence Awards (SHE Awards)
• Fire & Security Matters Awards
• Tomorrow's Warehouse Event
• Cleaning Excellence Awards

Products and services

• Health & Safety Matters
• Fire Safety Matters Independent B2B publication for fire, security, facilities and risk management professionals in the UK. Covers legislation, best practice, prosecutions, products, legal advice, technical articles and case studies.
• Security Matters B2B trade publication (sister title to Fire Safety Matters) launched in 2019, distributed to 40,000+ named individuals via print, online and email, and serving as the official publication for The Security Event, International Security Expo and distributed at Intersec Dubai.
• Cleaning Matters Bi-monthly B2B publication for the UK cleaning industry, targeting cleaning operatives, contractors and end users across manufacturing, commercial and public sectors, covering innovations, news, views and developments in cleaning, maintenance and hygiene.
• Industrial, Plant & Equipment B2B trade publication in its 26th year providing forward-looking coverage of the UK industrial sector, including technological developments, best practice advice, legislative changes and exhibition previews.
• Controls, Drives & Automation B2B trade publication published 6 times a year covering IoT, power transmission, drives & motors, controls and automation for UK manufacturing professionals, with content structured into five easy-to-reference sections.
• Logistics Matters B2B trade publication (formerly Handling & Storage Solutions) published ten times a year for UK warehousing and logistics professionals, covering lift trucks, warehouse storage, distribution, facilities management, lifting & moving, conveying, warehouse IT and health & safety.
• Safety & Health Excellence Awards (SHE Awards) Prestigious annual B2B awards event for the UK health and safety sector, attracting 550+ guests and including a three-course meal, drinks reception, live music, celebrity host and live entertainment.
• Fire & Security Matters Awards Annual B2B awards event celebrating innovation and achievements in the UK fire and security sectors; official awards of Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters publications.
• Tomorrow's Warehouse Event One-day, free-to-attend B2B conference spotlighting transformation in warehouse operations, tracking trends and showcasing solutions that boost warehouse performance and flexibility.
• Cleaning Excellence Awards Annual B2B awards event spotlighting innovative products, services and individuals in the UK professional cleaning and hygiene sector, celebrating technological innovations, smart solutions, sustainability and individual commitment.
• PR, Design & Contract Publishing Services In-house B2B service suite covering PR & Marketing, content creation (print & digital), media & print buying, design/production bureau, event logistics, media sales and videography for external clients including industry associations and event organisers such as BSIF, IIRSM, SSAIB, The Security Event and International Security Expo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Security Matters reaches 40,000+ named individuals through print, online and email platforms
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BSIF (British Safety Industries Federation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBSIF is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM. BSIF is a key sector stakeholder for Health & Safety Matters publication.
• IIRSM (International Institute of Risk & Safety Management)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerIIRSM is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM. IIRSM is a key sector stakeholder for Health & Safety Matters publication.
• SSAIB (Security Systems Alarm Inspection Board)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSSAIB is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM, serving the security sector.
• The Security EventcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Security Event is a PR and contract publishing client and WBM's Security Matters is the official publication for this major UK security industry event.
• International Security ExpocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational Security Expo is a PR and contract publishing client and WBM's Security Matters is the official publication distributed at this event and Intersec Dubai.
• The Facilities EventcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Facilities Event is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM.
• The Fire Safety EventcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Fire Safety Event is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM.
• The Health & Safety EventcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Health & Safety Event is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM.
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHSE is a key sector stakeholder that HSM works closely with to ensure readers have information on current issues in health and safety and guidance on complying with changes in legislation.
• British Safety CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBritish Safety Council is a key sector stakeholder that HSM works closely with to ensure readers have information on current issues in health and safety.
• BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBOHS is a key sector stakeholder that HSM works closely with to ensure readers have information on current issues in health and safety.
• RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoSPA is a key sector stakeholder that HSM works closely with to ensure readers have information on current issues in health and safety.
• NineteenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNineteen is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM.
• Reset ComplianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReset Compliance is a PR and contract publishing client of WBM.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wilmington plc: UK-listed provider of B2B information, events and training across compliance, regulation and professional markets. Comparable business model with focus on regulated verticals similar to WBM's health & safety portfolio.
• Informa Markets: Global B2B events and publishing giant operating hundreds of trade exhibitions and titles, including security and industrial events where WBM distributes publications. Broader incumbent with overlapping but much wider portfolio.
• Nineteen Group: Large UK B2B events and media company running major exhibitions such as The Security Event, International Security Expo and The Fire Safety Event — all of which are WBM clients/partners. Comparable but operates at significantly larger scale across events.

Direct peers

• Mark Allen Group: UK-based B2B publishing and events company operating a portfolio of trade magazines, awards and conferences across similar vertical sectors (health, engineering, construction). Directly comparable in business model, scale and go-to-market to Western Business Media.
• Mash Media: UK B2B events and media company running exhibitions, awards and publications for the events and experiential marketing industry. Comparable niche trade-media-plus-events operating model.
• MA Business (Mark Allen Group division): Specialist B2B magazine and digital publisher within Mark Allen Group covering industrial, manufacturing and engineering sectors. Operates an almost identical print-plus-events model to Western Business Media's industrial titles.
• Datateam Business Media: UK B2B media company publishing trade magazines and organising exhibitions and awards across industrial, medical and technology verticals. Closely comparable niche trade-publishing-plus-events model to WBM.
• DVV Media International: International B2B publisher producing trade magazines, digital content and events for rail, logistics and industrial markets. Overlaps directly with WBM's Logistics Matters and Industrial Plant & Equipment titles.

Regional players

• Redwood Media Group: UK-based B2B publisher producing trade magazines and digital content for industrial, manufacturing and engineering audiences. Comparable publishing model with similar UK-centric vertical exposure.

Emerging players

• Raconteur Media: UK-based B2B content and media company producing branded content, reports and custom publishing for enterprise clients. Comparable through its contract publishing and B2B content services offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/western-business-exhibitions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Western Business Media