Emergency Services, Defence and Education specialist publisher Keyways Publishing has become the dominant publisher in the Fire sector following the acquisition of the UK’s leading Fire Service journal from the Daily Mail. Keyways has bought both the 98 year old subscription-based monthly magazine, FIRE, and the industry’s annual trade directory – known throughout the Fire Service as the Yellow Book - from DMG World Media .
FIRE’s Editor Andrew Lynch and Advertising Executive Michael Jacobs, have transferred to Keyways’ HQ in Bosham, near Chichester, West Sussex.
Keyways – founded in 1994 – has built a portfolio of 22 journals and directories, an online presence and a growing events and books business. The company produces specialist titles for the police and health service, the defence and security industries and four educational journals.
Keyways chairman, Sarah Grünewald, said the acquisition - for an undisclosed six-figure sum – was “a logical extension of our existing operations”.
“We have a clear focus on publishing in specialist professional niches where high quality editorial attracts subscriber support and where we forge close relationships with opinion leaders in each community,” she said.
In police publishing, Keyways works with ACPO, the chief constables’ group, in producing the leading management journal  Policing Today plus the UK Police Directory (UKPD) which won a commendation in last year’s Data Publishers’ Association awards and is one of the largest-selling professional annuals in the UK.

Keyways Managing Director Simon Collin said Keyways was already working with Andrew Lynch to develop the title further. “It will always be true to the promise on its masthead: to be the Voice of Firefighting and Fire Prevention, reflecting the views of the whole Fire Service. But we believe, with Andrew, that the journal can develop further as firefighting organisations and techniques continue to evolve.”

Keyways – which already publishes in several countries outside the UK - will also relaunch Fire Professional to which it has bought the rights, and also hopes to re-establish FIRE’s international edition.