The difference lies in our story and our people. Resolute. Dedicated. Approachable.
About Us
Where heritage meets expertise, vision and purpose.
We believe business isn’t just about performance. It’s about people, relationships and making a positive difference. The kind of quiet care that doesn’t show up on a balance sheet. Yet, experience shows us that by giving values such as these equal billing, financial success is all but guaranteed. Our leadership team takes a hands-on approach to help drive growth, market leadership, operational excellence, and strategic value for our partner companies. Fundamentally, all of this is done with an understanding that success comes from partnerships formed via shared vision and values.
Discover what makes Bailie Group unique with a video from our CEO, Fergus Bailie.
Our Story.
1960
Roy Bailie starts his career as a print apprentice.
Starting a journey tthat will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of W&G Baird Ltd, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd Acquired and merged to form MSO Ltd.
Marking the beginning of W&G Baird's strategy of building a group of print businesses.
2000
CDS are acquired as part of a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS will grow from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2021
Invited to Downing Street after making Net Zero pledge.
Bailie Group members made the visit to Downing Street, due to our continued commitment to Net Zero and ESG.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird's Belfast press is destroyed in a bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours.
Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
Find out more about the incident
here.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd Acquired and merged to form MSO Ltd.
Marking the beginning of W&G Baird's strategy of building a group of print businesses.
2000
CDS are acquired as part of a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS will grow from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2021
Invited to Downing Street after making Net Zero pledge.
Bailie Group members made the visit to Downing Street, due to our continued commitment to Net Zero and ESG.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
Find out more about the rebuild here:
1977
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Corporation, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd Acquired and merged to form MSO Ltd.
Marking the beginning of W&G Baird's strategy of building a group of print businesses.
2000
CDS are acquired in a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS has grown from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2021
Invited to Downing Street after making Net Zero pledge.
Bailie Group members made the visit to Downing Street, due to our continued commitment to Net Zero and ESG.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984 - 2000
Printing Group acquisition phase.
Acquired MSO, RR Browne Ltd, Biddles, Blackstaff Press, Thanet Press and Textflow Services Ltd.
2000
CDS are acquired as part of a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS will grow from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2021
Invited to Downing Street after making Net Zero pledge.
Bailie Group members made the visit to Downing Street, due to our continued commitment to Net Zero and ESG.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd.
They were merged to form MSO Ltd, marking the beginning of W&G Baird's group of printing businesses.
1998
Printed the Good Friday Agreement.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2021
Invited to Downing Street after making Net Zero pledge.
Bailie Group members made the visit to Downing Street, due to our continued commitment to Net Zero and ESG.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd Acquired.
They were merged to form MSO Ltd, marking the beginning of W&G Baird's group of printing businesses.
2000
CDS brought into the group as part of a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS will grow from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2000
Change of direction.
The Group starts a strategy of print company disposals and professional services acquisitions.
2021
Invited to Downing Street after making Net Zero pledge.
Bailie Group members made the visit to Downing Street, due to our continued commitment to Net Zero and ESG.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd.
They were merged to form MSO Ltd, marking the beginning of W&G Baird's group of printing businesses.
2000
CDS are acquired as part of a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS will grow from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2000-Present Day
Professional Services Group grows.
Acquired Corporate Document Services, Cheltenham Technical Publications, Newspress, Headline Auto, Market Engineering, Simply Usability and Ubitech (3R) Ltd.
1960
Roy Bailie joins W&G Baird as an Apprentice.
Starting a journey that will take him to Sales Director and General Manager of the printing business, and laying the foundations for the Bailie Group.
1971
W&G Baird is attacked in an IRA bombing.
As General Manager, Roy Bailie moves production from Belfast to Antrim, resuming production within 24 hours. Antrim becomes the business' new permanent home.
1975
Roy Bailie leads Management Buy Out.
Purchasing W&G Baird from the British Printing Press, and completing his journey from Apprentice to Owner.
1984
McCaw Stevenson & Orr Ltd & R.R. Browne Ltd.
They were merged to form MSO Ltd, marking the beginning of W&G Baird's group of printing businesses.
2000
CDS are acquired as part of a shift toward Professional Services.
Followed by CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and others, the group diversified their offerings for the shift toward digital. With the group's support, CDS will grow from £15m to £60m annual turnover.
2006
W&G Baird Ltd sold to an MBO team.
As part of a move away from print, toward professional services, which the Bailie Group specialise in today.
2000-Present Day
Professional Services Group grows.
Acquired Corporate Document Services, Cheltenham Technical Publications, Newspress, Headline Auto, Market Engineering, Simply Usability and Ubitech (3R) Ltd.
The Future
We are keen to hear from business owners and management teams who want be part of the next chapter of our story.
Our Difference.
“Whilst we take pride in our distinctive approach to business acquisition, management and growth we are equally committed to sustainability initiatives.
The Group is profoundly conscious of the threat climate change poses to the economy, nature and society at large and we have committed to take action immediately.”
Fergus Bailie
CEO
