Ocean Outdoor: UK’s Top Digital OOH Advertising Leader | GBAF

Ocean Outdoor: UK’s Top Digital OOH Advertising Leader | GBAF

Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking and Finance Review is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Home > Top Stories > LDC TO EXIT LEADING ‘OUT OF HOME’ ADVERTISING OPERATOR OCEAN OUTDOOR

LDC TO EXIT LEADING ‘OUT OF HOME’ ADVERTISING OPERATOR OCEAN OUTDOOR

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on January 8, 2015

3 min read

Last updated: January 22, 2026

Illustration of a house symbolizing new mortgage origination in the Netherlands - Global Banking & Finance Review — This image depicts a house icon representing Venn Partners' initiative to establish a residential mortgage origination platform in the Netherlands, aiming for €1 billion in loans by 2015.

Ocean has built an award winning reputation and expanded its national presence to become the UK’s market leader in digital out of home advertising

LDC, the leading mid-market private equity houseannounced that it has exchanged contracts with private investment firm Searchlight Capital Partners LP to exit Ocean Outdoor, the UK’s leading operator of digital out of home advertising. Searchlight Capital will acquire LDC’s stake and contracts are expected to complete in mid-January 2015.

LDC’s initial investment, as part of a £35 million buyout in 2012, has helped the company to further develop its leading position in the iconic, large-format digital outdoor advertising market.

Headquartered in London, Ocean Outdoor, which trades under brand names ‘Ocean’ and ‘Signature’, is an independent British company, specialising only in large-format digital and super-premium banner locations, Ocean creates inspirational canvases for inspirational advertising.

In August 2014, with the support of LDC, Ocean Outdoor acquired Signature Outdoor, the market leader in premium out of house media in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The move has allowed the company to increase its national footprint and has provided the resources to further develop innovative digital solutions for its global customer base.

Today’s announcement marks a key milestone for the company and its third phase of expansion. With a well-established UK presence and an award winning reputation, the company is in a strong position to explore new opportunities and international development.

Ocean will become LDC’s 13^th exit this year, with recent exits in the London region including the IPO of premium mixer brand FeverTree and earlier this year the exit of GVA, the UK’s largest independent commercial real estate consultant, following its merger with Bilfinger.

David Andrews, LDC Investor Director, commented:

“It has been immensely rewarding working with Tom, Tim and the very successful Ocean management team over the past two and a half years. The company has enjoyed rapid growth and built an award winning reputation. We wish the team continued success for the future.”

Tim Bleakley, CEO of Ocean Outdoor, commented:

“The next chapter will be the most exciting element of our long term growth plan and will enhance the value to our customers of both the ocean and signature businesses.”

Oliver Haarmann, Founding Partner of Searchlight Capital Partners LP, commented:

“We believe in the long-term growth potential of digital out of home advertising and are excited to partner with Ocean’s management team, who have an accomplished track record of successful innovation.”