Our Clients

Johnston Press was first established in Falkirk in 1767 as F. Johnston & Co Ltd.

Today, Johnston Press publishes more than 300 newspapers in numerous local markets throughout the UK and Ireland.  The company also has more than 350 websites, extending its traditional publishing business into digital media.  

Johnston Press is dedicated to delivering comprehensive local news and information reflecting the important issues of the communities they serve. The Company employs teams of journalists and advertising sales staff in offices across its local markets.

In 1988, F. Johnston & Co Ltd became a listed company on the London Stock Exchange and changed its name to Johnston Press plc. Since then, the group has grown to become one of the top 3 largest regional newspaper publishers in the UK, and a growing force on the Internet.

Buchanan Communications was approached to advise Johnston Press on the Company's 1988 flotation when the Company listed with a market capitalisation of approximately £22m.

As a quoted company, Johnston Press has successfully continued its strategy of buying regional newspapers groups, building its local presence throughout the UK and Ireland. Amongst these were the £560 million acquisition of Regional Independent Media Group in 2002 and the £155 million acquisition of Score Press, publisher of local weekly newspapers in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in 2005. 

Buchanan is proud to count Johnston Press as a prime example of our long standing relationships, having continued to advise them on everything from acquisition strategy and planning to financial calendar obligations and all aspects of the Group's City communications over the past 20 years. Johnston Press has grown from £22m market capitalisation in 1988 to £1.6bn at its peak in 2007.