55 North was founded in 2000 as one of Scotland’s first full-service contract publishing houses, producing a wide array of publications on behalf of an impressive portfolio of blue-chip clients including Dixons, Whyte & Mackay, Scottish Enterprise, Currys, Macdonald Hotels, Clydesdale Bank, University of Strathclyde and PC World.

Over the years, 55 North has formed a number of strategic alliances and joint ventures to further broaden its scope. Most recently, it has branched into fully owned magazines with the purchase of a number of trade and consumer titles.

The most recent of these was the acquisition of Nottingham-based trade magazine Database Marketing, taking the company into the UK-wide trade publishing arena for the first time.

With a relentless focus on reinvestment and quality systems, 55 North has established itself as one of the country’s most dynamic, progressive publishing businesses. 55 North was one of the first publishers in Scotland to fully adopt PDF direct-to-plate technology and remains one of the few companies to operate a fully computerised production control system.

The company also received the coveted accolade of ‘PPA Scottish Business Magazine of the Year’ at the equivalent of the publishing industry’s Oscars for its Scottish Local Retailer magazine within a year of launching the title. Two other 55 North titles – On-Trade Scotland and First Link 4 Parents- have also picked up accolades at these prestigious awards.

Most recently, Scottish Local Retailer editor Antony Begley was named Scottish Business & Professional Magazine Editor of the year, and still holds that title.