Pearson is in negotiations to sell its 50 per cent stake in the Economist Group, publisher of the Economist magazine, to other shareholders in the group including the investment vehicle of Italy’s Agnelli family.
The talks, which come in the same week as Pearson’s ￡844m sale of the FT Group to the Nikkei Group of Japan, could in effect complete the British company’s transformation from a diversified family conglomerate to a business focused solely on education. Its only large non-education interest would be a 47 per cent stake in Penguin Random House, the book publisher.
Exor, which is run by John Elkann, scion of the Agnelli family, said its role in the talks may lead to the “possibility of increasing its investment in the group”. It is expected to secure a deal to increase its stake as early as next month, according to people familiar with the situation.It added: “Were it to proceed, Exor’s increased investment would in any event represent a minority shareholding in the the Economist?.?.?.?also reflecting Exor’s strong commitment to the editorial independence that lies at the heart of the Economist’s ethos and success.” Mr Elkann is on the Economist Group’s board and the group already owns 5 per cent.