A PRIVATE investment group based in Royal Wootton Bassett has poured more than £1 million into a media management company which specialises in mixed martial arts.

The Carlton James Group will support i2Media as it expands its team and eventually enters new markets like India, Africa and the Middle East to broaden its reach around the world.

Carlton James Group founder and CEO Simon Calton said: "There are two main reasons I believe in i2Media and their offerings: their industry focus and their leadership.

"They are deeply embedded into the extremely high-growth, multibillion-dollar industry that is Mixed Martial Arts which continues to skyrocket in terms of popularity and revenue.

"Rob Hewitt has demonstrated absolute dedication to i2Media and his prominent standing in the industry positions the company well for years to come.

"We are very pleased to add i2Media to our exciting portfolio of companies and look forward to watching the company’s growth.”

The media company i2Media publishes and distributes the largest MMA magazine in the world, is a producer of live events, and provides marketing services to its clients.

It has grown from an international magazine publisher distributing across the UK, USA and overseas to becoming a producer of live events and a digital publisher of websites, social media and applications.

It has also established third party content marketing and digital agencies which provide marketing services for a growing portfolio of clients.

Director Robert Hewitt said: "As a small UK company who punches above its weight in terms of its brands and products, we are excited to expand our team and our unique business model into further new international territories with the help and support of the Carlton James Group.

"Their commitment to us and their proactive partnership mentality fits directly into our company culture and ethics.

"We plan on enjoying many years of continued growth and success together as well as fulfilling the destiny of our brands as leaders within their respective marketplaces worldwide."