Twelve years ago life was very different for Tim Weller.

When he launched his publishing company Incisive Media in 1995, the group had 13 employees working on one magazine, Investment Week - and a hole in the office roof.

Since then Mr Weller has expanded Incisive into a global business-to-business publishing empire employing 2,000 staff at 27 offices across three continents.

But this weekend Mr Weller was on the threshold of another major boost to his career, emerging as the front-runner to lead a new £2 billion media group to be created by Apax and Guardian Media Group (GMG), following their acquisition on Friday of Emap Communications, publisher of titles including Broadcast and Drapers.

The new company, which would have combined revenues of £550 million, is expected to be formed from a merger of Incisive with Emap’s business-to-business arm, which Apax and GMG bought for £1.2 billion.

An appointment as chief executive or executive chairman of the enlarged company would be a big step up for Weller, but he certainly has the right CV for the job.

Starting his career at VNU Business Publications in 1982, he left in 1987 to join Centaur Communications, becoming a director of Centaur Publishing, the group behind titles such as The Lawyer and The Engineer, in 1989.

In 1994 he became managing director of Reuters Publishing, leaving shortly afterwards to set up Incisive Media, whose early success was driven by just one title, Investment Week.

After floating Incisive on the stock market in December 2000, the group enjoyed a spell of rapid growth through acquisitions and brand launches. A year ago Mr Weller helped to orchestrate a £200 million management buyout of Incisive backed by Apax, securing an £11 million windfall for himself.

If he succeeds in taking control of the newly merged group, Mr Weller will no doubt be handsomely rewarded – although he’s not short of a bob or two as it is.

He drives an Aston Martin between his homes in Leicestershire and London and his chalet in France.

Times Recommends

• C&G axed - 1,660 jobs to be lost
• UK house prices rise 1.1% as buyers return
• Mixed reaction to US banks repaying bailouts