Mon, 02 Mar 2026 | DIVISION SALE
Model railways company Hornby has agreed to sell iconic slot car racing brand Scalextric in a deal worth £20 million. The brand, which is nearly 70 years old, is set to be acquired by Scalextric Motorsports, a business established by Purbeck Capital Partners President and Chief Executive Mark Brown.
The deal sees Purbeck Capital Partners take on the Scalextric business and intellectual property rights. Post-acquisition, Hornby will manage the Scalextric business as agent, ensuring continuity in the brand’s operations, while enabling the buyer to focus on driving the brand’s growth.
As part of the deal, Mark Brown - who brings extensive experience in brand growth, operational execution and capital allocation - has agreed an ongoing role to assist Hornby in its wider strategic transformation.
Through this process, the company aims to ultimately have a series of profitable, entrepreneurial brands operating independently and sustainably and led autonomously from the central group.
Mark Brown commented: "As we look to a long-term future, with Scalextric as a now family-owned company, we are energised by the opportunity to continue bringing competitive racing fun to families, while expanding into new areas of motorsport and helping to build physical and hand-eye coordination skills – particularly at a time when families are trying to balance time spent online versus real-world activities."
Richard Brown, Chief Executive of Castelnau, an investor in Hornby, said that the Scalextric brand had made “significant progress in recent years”, adding that Mark Brown "has an outstanding track record of building global brands and has a clear and exciting vision for its future.”
He continued: "This transaction is consistent with Castelnau's strategic intention to ensure that our businesses are owned and led by the best owners to deliver their full potential."
Hornby Hobbies Chief Executive Olly Raeburn said that the deal builds on the “encouraging progress” that Scalextric has made and that Mark Brown’s leadership would bring “enormous experience, energy and enthusiasm” as the brand embarks on a new strategy.
Get an insider's view on intellectual property in M&A transactions in our exclusive interview with Buzzacott Head of M&A Meera Shah
This long-established designer and distributor of premium radiators in Herefordshire offers an unmatched opportunity for investors to enter the flourishing designer-radiator niche. The business boasts secure earnings, fast turnaround times, and signi...
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a long-standing UK specialist engineering firm renowned for its high-temperature, vibration-, and radiation-tolerant sensing components for critical applications.
This well-established and respected metal fabrication and installation business in Poole offers a comprehensive service from design to installation, often engaging in bespoke projects within the affluent Sandbanks area and beyond.
Please choose your settings for this site below. For more information please read our Cookie Policy
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and provide you with access to all features.
These are analytics cookies that help us to improve the way our website works.
These are used to improve the functional performance of the website and make it easier for you to use.