Anglo-Dutch publisher and information group Reed Elsevier PLC PLC (ENL, REL.LN) is unlikely to make big acquisitions in 2009, the company's chief executive said on a conference call Thursday.

"We're unlikely to make big acquisitions. Perhaps bolt-on acquisitions, but our focus will remain on organic growth," Chief Executive Crispin Davis said.

Davis will step down as the company's CEO in March and will be replaced by Ian Smith, previously CEO at U.K. house builder Taylor Woodrow PLC (TW.LN).

Davis said in the conference call that he does not anticipate Smith making big strategy changes when he takes over.

"The strategic basis is sound so I don't think I would anticipate big changes," he said.

He added that Smith has spent the last six to eight weeks looking at all the different parts of Reed Elsevier's business.

Company Web site: www.reed-elsevier.com

-By Erica Herrero-Martinez, Dow Jones Newswires; 44 20 7842 9353; erica.herrero-martinez@dowjones.com