Publisher sold in £666k deal

Publishing and events company Holyrood Communications changed ownership for the second time in as many months yesterday, in a move that revealed the business was valued at up to £666,000.

The Edinburgh-based group was sold to Biteback Media last month, but Aim-quoted public affairs group Dods has now snapped up both businesses.

Dods revealed it was paying £416,806 in cash plus a further potential payment of £250,000 if certain gross profit targets are met for Holyrood, matching the deal previously agreed with former owner Hamish Miller.

Billionaire Tory donor Lord Ashcroft is a major shareholder of both Biteback and Dods.