ITV plc Acquires Plimsoll Productions from LDC for £131m

LDC Takes Minority Stake in Plimsoll Productions

August 13, 2019

Media & Entertainment

LDC has invested a minority equity stake in Plimsoll Productions in a deal valuing the UK-based TV production company at around £80 million. The investment will support Plimsoll's growth plans — including further investment in natural history and documentary divisions, development of intellectual property, and expansion into the US and other global markets — while founder Grant Mansfield remains CEO.

Plimsoll Productions Acquires Magnify Media

October 27, 2021

Media & Entertainment

Bristol-based Plimsoll Productions, backed by private equity firm LDC, has fully acquired Magnify Media, a specialist distribution and rights-management company founded by Andrea Jackson. The deal expands Plimsoll's distribution capabilities and global reach—Magnify's catalogue distributes to over 75 countries—and supports the group's growth in natural history, documentary and factual entertainment.

ITV Studios Acquires Majority Stake in Hartswood Films

July 25, 2024

Media & Entertainment

ITV Studios has acquired a majority stake in Hartswood Films, the long-established UK scripted production company behind series such as Sherlock, The Devil's Hour and Douglas Is Cancelled. Hartswood — based in London and Cardiff and led by Sue Vertue and Steven Moffat — will have its future international distribution handled by ITV Studios as part of ITV's strategy to expand its international content business.

ICG Acquires Majority Stake in Lomond; LDC and Management Reinvest

December 2, 2024

Real Estate

ICG has invested in Lomond in a transaction in which LDC exits its original investment but will reinvest alongside ICG, founding Chairman Stuart Pender and Lomond management. The recapitalization provides capital to support Lomond's continued roll-up strategy and geographic expansion after the business grew from 600 to 1,900 employees and completed 65 acquisitions under LDC's ownership.

LDC Makes £21m Minority Investment in Precise TV

January 7, 2025

Marketing & Advertising

LDC has made a £21m minority growth investment in Precise TV, the contextual video AdTech platform, to support the company's international expansion and further development of its AI capabilities. The capital will primarily be used to scale Precise TV's presence in the United States (which already accounts for over half of revenues) and to expand into adjacent markets such as gaming.

LDC Invests £13m in Hybrid

June 21, 2021

Marketing & Advertising

LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, has invested £13 million in Bristol-based digital media and marketing agency Hybrid to support organic growth and enable targeted acquisitions. Hybrid, which serves higher education institutions and global technology brands and employs more than 70 people across offices in Bristol, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, will retain its management team while founder James Craven remains as a Board Director.