B2B events and media consultancy BSG has been sold by Paul Woodward in a deal that transfers ownership to Mark Cochrane, the firm’s managing director.
Business Strategies Group was founded by Woodward 25 years ago in Hong Kong where it also runs the Asia Pacific office for UFI – the Global Association for the Exhibitions Industry. Cochrane is also UFI’s regional director.
Transfer of ownership will be a phased process due to be completed in March 2027, BSG said in an announcement. Woodward will remain as chairman and senior advisor to BSG.
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The announcement added that BSG is the only consultancy focused on the business events and exhibitions industry in Asia and has since 2000 provided research and advisory services to over 200 international businesses and government organisations.
Mark Cochrane and his great team have been running BSG on a day-to-day basis for quite a few years now,” said Woodward. “As I begin to step back from active consulting work, this is the ideal arrangement for the company, its team and its clients. I couldn’t be happier with the plan and am confident that there’s a bright future for BSG as it starts its next 25 years.”
Cochrane started working with BSG as a consultant in 2006, taking over as managing director in 2010 when Woodward moved to Paris as CEO of UFI, a role he held until the end of 2015.
“I am very pleased to have been able to come to this arrangement with Paul. BSG has built an amazing reputation since he founded the company for providing high-quality advice based on our unique event database and many years of experience working in the exhibition and business events industry,” Cochrane said.
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“I’m also happy that Paul has agreed to remain in an advisory role as chairman as we address the many challenges and opportunities in this fast-changing market.”
BSG’s clients are exhibition organisers, venues, private equity funds and government bodies such as convention bureaus and tourism boards. The company’s services include business development strategy, competitive intelligence, portfolio analysis, feasibility studies, launch planning and commercial due diligence.
