Jobs set to go as Reed looks at closures

John Poulin, chief executive of Reed Business Information in the United States, told staff he expected to announce the sale of various titles to separate buyers in the next few months, after the company failed to sell the whole business in 2008.

"This, unfortunately, will result in title closures and job losses across the business," Mr Poulin wrote in a memo sent to staff.

"I know that this will come as a major disappointment but reflects the impact of the structural changes in our markets, accelerated by the recession."

A spokesman for Reed Elsevier declined to comment on the company's progress in selling the trade magazines.

Reed's RBI trade-magazines division brought in 463m of revenue in the first half, 15 percent of the company's total, and 5 per cent of operating profit.

As well as controlled-circulation magazines that are distributed for free and paid for by advertising, RBI includes paid-for titles such as Variety and Reed Construction Data US & Canada, which the company intends to keep.

Reed Elsevier is a leading provider of publications and related work tools for scientists, healthcare professionals, lawyers and financial institutions.

It also owns the world's biggest trade-exhibitions business.