The Economist Group could become the latest British media business to undergo a change of ownership this year as its co-owner Pearson focuses on education, bankers and industry sources said. The company, whose weekly magazine was first published in 1843, is partly held by Pearson via the Financial Times, which is now in the process of being sold to Japan’s Nikkei. The remaining 50 percent of the Economist Group is controlled by a series of wealthy families and The Economist’s staff and former staff.