Capital Business Media (CBM) founder Richard Alvin is no stranger to scaling new heights in publishing. Having begun his career by launching and selling two successful media ventures to national groups, Alvin set his sights on building another media powerhouse—a vision that came to life when global publisher EMAP put two of its underperforming business titles on the market.
“It was always my intention to stay involved in media,” he recalls. “EMAP decided to sell Business Matters and European Fund Manager. I made offers, they were accepted, and Capital Business Media was born.” Within a decade, Alvin and his team had elevated Business Matters into the UK’s leading business title, culminating in its appointment as the official business magazine of the London 2012 Olympics.
Building a diversified media portfolio
Today, CBM’s holdings extend far beyond Business Matters. It owns the business-focused Travelling For Business and Not Ltd, alongside property publications such as Stay and Improve, and Property Portfolio Investor. The group also operates EV Powered, covering every facet of the electric vehicle sector, from e-scooters to cars and plant machinery, supported by the number-one-ranked podcast ‘Everything EV, which Alvin co-hosts.
In addition, CBM has offices in New York—dedicated to the global fund management title EFM—and Florida, home to its new Content Crafting Company, specialising in search. CBM’s contract publishing arm has produced consumer materials for brands including Aston Martin Lagonda and the Infiniti Motor Group.
Alvin also chairs Trends Research, originally formed as a partnership between the Telegraph Media Group and CBM, which now specialises in analysing the UK’s SME community for clients ranging from government departments to telecoms giants like O2 and Vodafone.
Hands-on leadership
Alvin remains deeply involved in CBM’s day-to-day operations. “Like many business owners, I love being part of the ‘doing’ side,” he says. “I’m also a people person—whether it’s a quick call or a catch-up, I believe you often uncover vital insights in casual conversations.”
That attitude extends to managing relationships with clients, suppliers, and staff. “People buy from people,” he explains. “If you build a team with shared values and equip them with the best technology and processes, success is far more likely—especially when you work to tight deadlines, like we do.”
Inspiration and achievements
Reflecting on CBM’s achievements, Alvin points to the moment the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “We saw a huge spike in readership. By September 2020, Business Matters’ website had passed one million page views in a single month. That kind of engagement reaffirms that we’re heading in the right direction.”
Much of that drive, he says, comes from being surrounded by hardworking individuals. “I admire determination. I’m lucky to work with people who embody it.”
Lessons learned
Alvin’s experiences aren’t without the occasional misstep. “I’ve invested in start-up and growing businesses, sometimes taking board positions. One such venture, CrimeDeter, turned sour because I didn’t do enough due diligence before investing. I ended up writing off a six-figure sum.”
He’s candid about the takeaway: “Whether you’re buying, taking a role in, or investing in a business, do your homework thoroughly.”
Advice for budding entrepreneurs
Alvin’s guidance for those just starting out is unequivocal: “Collaborate. Don’t try to do it all yourself. Mistakes will happen—learn from them quickly. Recognise and reward your employees, as they are the key to a successful future. Define your values from the outset, stay true to them, and give your team the best ‘weapons’ to carry out their roles.”
By combining shrewd acquisitions with a strong team ethos and an ever-expanding multi-platform strategy, Richard Alvin continues to steer Capital Business Media to new heights—and shows no sign of slowing down.