Spirit Music Group's British subsidiary, Spirit B-Unique UK, has acquired Gary Lightbody's company Polar Patrol Publishing. Light body set up the publishing service for songwriters, artists and musicians with Snow Patrol bandmates Johnny Quinn and Nathan Connolly.

“Polar Patrol are chuffed to bits to announce our partnership with Spirit-B Unique. We've always admired their roster and reputation whilst sharing our independent values. We’re buzzing about the future,” said Johnny Quinn.

Polar Patrol Publishing's roster includes tracks written by Snow Patrol, Belle & Sebastian, Here We Go Magic, electronic artist Kidda, Johnny McDaid - credited co-writer on five Ed Sheeran songs, singer/songwriter Luke Temple, songwriter Gita Harcourt, Bo Bruce, singer/songwriter Gary Nock, Malpas, Cloud Boat and Glass Ghost.

“Polar Patrol brings so many wonderful songs and talented songwriters to Spirit, and it’s an honor to be in business with Johnny Quinn, Nathan Connolly, and Gary Lightbody," said Spirit Music Group chairman and CEO David Renzer. "Not only have they made amazing music as members of Snow Patrol, but they’ve shown they’re equally capable as businessmen by assembling such a remarkable catalog of music in Polar Patrol Publishing over the years. We’re very excited to work with them to continue building on the success that the Polar Patrol catalog and songwriters have had in the UK and around the world."

“We have been admirers of Polar Patrol for some time and see a real growth parallel with B-unique," said Mark Lewis, Co-President of Spirit B-Unique UK. "What Snow Patrol have achieved as a band is very special, but put into context alongside the building of their publishing company, they have created something extraordinary. The roster is exciting and varied."