SAGE ACQUIRES LEARNING MATTERS
London, UK (August 1st, 2011) – SAGE, a leading independent academic and professional publisher, today announced the purchase of UK independent publisher Learning Matters. The sale was announced jointly by Learning Matters founder and Managing Director Jonathan Harris, and Ziyad Marar, Global Publishing Director, SAGE.
Founded in 1999, Learning Matters is a leading publisher of market focused books and ebooks for professional and vocational courses in education, social work, nursing and health.
“We’ve long admired Learning Matters’ disciplined and creative publishing philosophy, and know that their books are much loved by students up and down the country. We couldn’t be more delighted to be welcoming them to SAGE,” said Ziyad Marar. “Our complementary publishing programmes make Learning Matters an ideal fit for us as we grow our already substantial textbook programme in these fields. We are also thrilled that Jonathan will remain involved with the ongoing development of the Learning Matters publishing programme at SAGE.”
“SAGE is an excellent home for the next stage of Learning Matters’ development,” said Jonathan Harris. “We’re looking forward to building the Learning Matters imprint with the significant strength that SAGE offers.”
The Learning Matters team will continue to operate from their current office based in Exeter. All sales and distributions will continue to be handled through the Learning Matters team; orders for the Back to University season should be handled in the usual way.
What is Learning Matters?
Learning Matters is a UK-based and UK-focused textbook publisher covering key areas of SAGE’s textbook programme and growth strategy, namely education, social work, nursing and health. It is a private company set up in 1999 by Jonathan Harris.
Why has SAGE purchased Learning Matters?
The Learning Matters list is a complementary model of publishing (practical, accessible, student-focused, short, workbook texts) adding a new channel of growth for SAGE, reaching new courses and adopters as well as new authors.
Will Learning Matters staff be moving to SAGE?
Learning Matters is currently based in an office in Exeter. The team will remain in the Exeter office until at least December 2011. We are still working with the team to agree a transition plan and further information will follow about this in the coming months.
How do I order my Learning Matters books now, during the BTU season and in future?
SAGE are pleased to announce that they are taking over distribution, order processing, customer service and credit control for Learning Matters titles from BEBC Ltd from 14 December 2011.
Orders:
From 14 December 2011 all orders should be sent to SAGE:
Post: SAGE Publications Ltd, 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP
Email: orders@sagepub.co.uk Tel: 020 7324 8703; Fax: 020 7324 8700
Dues:
Any outstanding dues will be transferred to SAGE on 14 December 2011.
Payments:
Payments for accounts due should be made to the originating distributor.
Returns:
BEBC Ltd will continue to accept authorised Learning Matters returns until end of 16 March 2012.
From 19 March 2012 authorised returns should be sent to:
Post: SAGE Warehouse, Unit 18 FengateEast, Titan Drive, Peterborough PE1 5XN.
Email: warehouse@sagepub.co.uk Tel: 0844 412 5674; Fax: 0844 412 5675
Please ensure that you include invoice number/s with your return. From 19 March 2012 SAGE will issue credits for returns relating to books invoiced by BEBC Ltd provided they fall within the SAGE returns policy.
If you have any queries, please contact us as follows:
Orders: Email: orders@sagepub.co.uk; Tel: 020 7324 8703
General Enquiries: Email: learningmatters@sagepub.co.uk; Tel: 020 7324 8703
Returns: Email: nicola.maullin@sagepub.co.uk; Tel: 020 7324 8658
Accounts: Email: credit.control@sagepub.co.uk.; Tel: 020 7324 8500
How will my contracts with LM be affected?
We are in the process of reviewing all terms and contracts with LM, which will transfer to SAGE. There will be further discussions with individual suppliers in the coming months.
How will we be communicating this acquisition?
We are contacting all key stakeholders in advance of announcing the acquisition. A press announcement will be sent out on Monday 1st August, and subsequent public announcements will be made as further information is available.
CONTACT:
For SAGE:
Mithu Lucraft 020 7324 2223
mithu.lucraft@sagepub.co.uk
For Learning Matters
Jonathan Harris 01392 229801
jonathan@learningmatters.co.uk