SUTTON, England, June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Reed Business Information ("RBI"), the business information division of Reed Elsevier, announced today that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of Ascend Worldwide Group Holdings Limited ("Ascend"). Ascend will be integrated with RBI's aerospace information and data services business, Flightglobal.

Ascend, headquartered in London with offices in New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo, delivers aircraft and engine data through online subscription services and provides valuations, appraisals and advisory services to a world-wide client base spanning aviation investors and financiers, lessors, manufacturers, operators and suppliers. Ascend plays a key role in informing decisions and identifying opportunities within the aviation industry.

RBI's Flightglobal provides aerospace information and data services through http://www.flightglobal.com (the largest professional aviation website in the world), Flight International and Airline Business magazines, civil fleet data fromACAS, and real time news and business intelligence from Air Transport Intelligence.  

"Ascend brings to Flightglobal an impressive position in the global air finance market," says Jane Burgess, RBI managing director. "This exciting acquisition adds important new data assets and expertise to Flightglobal's existing aviation data business and provides Ascend with access to Flightglobal's powerful global aviation audience and extensive marketing capabilities."

"I am very excited about the opportunities that the combination of Ascend and Flightglobal will bring." says Gehan Talwatte, Ascend CEO. "By combining our insight and expertise with Flightglobal's growing global audience, distribution capabilities and unrivalled media presence, we can significantly extend the reach of the Ascend brand."

Notes to Editors

About Reed Business Information Ltd

Reed Business Information Ltd brings market leading brands to an audience of millions of decision makers worldwide through its multi-platform media of data services, online lead generation services, community websites, magazines and events. Reed Business Information Ltd is part of Reed Elsevier, a world leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors.

About Ascend Worldwide Group Holdings Limited

Ascend (http://www.ascendworldwide.com) is one of the world's principal providers of data, analytics and advisory services to investors in aerospace. Its global team advises on aviation investment strategies to maximise returns and generate proven investment results. For over four decades, Ascend has supplied the most reliable, trusted and up-to-date aviation industry information and insight available anywhere.

Offerings include: aviation data; aircraft and engine valuations and appraisals; and advisory services. From financiers and lessors to aircraft manufacturers, operators and suppliers, the aviation industry relies on Ascend to help make informed decisions and capture new opportunities.

SOURCE Reed Business Information Ltd and Ascend Worldwide Group Holdings Limited