Next 15 Group has completed the sale of Marker, the group combining technology communications agencies Archetype, Outcast and Nectar Communications, to AVENIR GLOBAL for total cash consideration of £70.4m, the UK marketing group said on 5 November 2026.
Why AVENIR GLOBAL is buying Marker Collective (Archetype, Outcast and Nectar Communications, from Next 15 Group plc)
Marker was a 'Track 2' business under Next 15's portfolio review. Next 15 said it would invest the proceeds principally in its 'Track 1' businesses and carry out a £5m on-market share buyback. AVENIR GLOBAL said Marker will run as a separate business under chief executive Helena Maus, trade press reported.
Deal terms and financing
The deal values Marker at £70m on a cash-free, debt-free basis, subject to customary completion accounts adjustments. Net proceeds after costs are about £67.9m. Next 15 expects a non-cash profit on disposal of about £36m before foreign exchange reserves, to be recognised in its statutory results for the year to January 2027. Its pro forma net cash would have been about £5.6m at 31 July 2026, and FY27 guidance is unchanged.
Market context
Next 15 formed Marker in 2024 by combining Archetype, Outcast and Nectar, which offer technology-led communications services and automated enterprise software across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Marker made adjusted operating profit of £9.8m in the year to 31 January 2026. Trade press reported it has about 650 employees in 20 offices and the AI media intelligence platform Delve, and that the deal takes AVENIR GLOBAL to more than 1,500 employees. Next 15 now comprises nine businesses, down from 22 in the last financial year.
