Reed Business Information Acquires Ascend, a Leading Provider of Data, Analytics and Advisory Services to the Global Aviation Industry

SUTTON, England, June 30, 2011 -

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 href="www.flightglobal.com/">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 ( href="www.ascendworldwide.com/">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.

Contact info: Jane Baldwin, Head of Corporate Communications, Reed Business Information, jane.baldwin at rbi.co.uk, +44(0)20-8652-8018