M Core Takes Full Ownership Of Smart Media Group

M Core Ventures is moving to full ownership of Smart Media Group, the UK digital out-of-home operator, following the acquisition of shares from founder Mark Catterall and the company's other founding shareholders, as reported by invidis.com.

M Core initially invested in Smart in July 2024. The amount of the new investment and the financial terms were not disclosed. At the time of M Core's first investment, Smart operated approximately 450 screens. Its network now exceeds 2,000 screens across high streets, retail properties, leisure destinations, sports venues, and fuel forecourts, according to the company.

Steve White, previously a non-executive director of Smart Media Group and former Global Marketing Director at JD Sports, has been appointed CEO effective immediately. Catterall is stepping back from executive responsibilities for health reasons. He has lived with Parkinson's disease since founding the company in Sunderland in 2019 and is preparing for a planned medical procedure.

"I have been living with Parkinson's for six years, and I have a procedure coming up that I am genuinely hopeful about. It needs proper time to recover from, and that made this the right moment to step back," Catterall said. He plans to remain involved during a transitional period to hand over key client relationships and intends to return to the sector following his recovery.

Max Percy, CEO of M Core Ventures, said the ownership change would accelerate Smart's growth. "The business has a strong network and a talented team, and closer integration with M Core's UK retail estate will open up new opportunities," he said. Smart's portfolio includes a national digital forecourt partnership with Shell and a retail media network developed with the Co-operative Group. The company also operates Smart Hub, its proprietary platform for campaign planning, sales and delivery.

Catterall has also supported Parkinson's UK through Smart's advertising network, including donations of digital billboard space valued at approximately £950,000 for World Parkinson's Day campaigns, according to the company.