The publisher revealed in a statement to staff last week that it was looking at a number of "strategic options".

These included "a possible sale" of Printing World, Packaging Magazine, Industrial Equipment Market, Music Week, Private Villas, Trade-it and Trader. Two directories were also highlighted, Benns Media and The Knowledge. Kent-based printer Headley Brothers handles several of the titles on the list, including Music Week, Printing World and Packaging Magazine.

According to the statement the publisher has already received expressions of interest from a number of potential purchasers.

The news came hot on the heels of an announcement made at the start of last week that former Emap finance director Gary Hughes was set to become chief executive at CMPi.