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
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