Reed Business Information France

Today's news that Reed Elsevier's proposed auction of B2B division Reed Business Information has failed comes after months of behind-the-scenes negotiating, departures and optimistic predictions from the publisher. The next installment in the tale is likely to be the restructuring of RBI and—eventually—another invitation to anyone that might be interested to make a bid for it. Until then, here's our history of the sale process in links going back to February.

The CEO of B2B publisher Reed Business Information, Gerard van de Aast, is to step down next month and will relinquish his positions on the boards of both RBI and parent company Reed Elsevier (NYSE: RUK), throwing even more uncertainty on the former's planned divestment from the latter. From December 15, RBI's UK CEO Keith Jones will become acting CEO for the division worldwide "pending resolution of the current divestment process" – whenever that might be.

The CEO of B2B publisher Reed Business Information, Gerard van de Aast, is to step down next month and will relinquish his positions on the boards of both RBI and parent company Reed Elsevier (NYSE: RUK), throwing even more uncertainty on the former's planned divestment from the latter. From December 15, RBI's UK CEO Keith Jones will become acting CEO for the division worldwide "pending resolution of the current divestment process" – whenever that might be.

Science and business publisher Reed Elsevier (NYSE: RUK) has announced who will lead the company following CEO Sir Crispin Davis' planned retirement. Ian Smith starts as CEO-designate on January 1 until Davis finally leaves in March after nine years in charge. Smith comes with chief executive pedigree - he was formerly CEO of building group Taylor Woodrow and General Healthcare Group.

As London-based Reed Elsevier continues to hammer out the details of the divestment of its b-to-b publishing arm Reed Business Information, the publishing giant Tuesday named Ian Smith as its CEO, replacing longtime chief executive Sir Crispin Davis.read more