Informa to acquire Clarion Events for £2.24 billion

Informa has agreed to acquire B2B specialist Clarion Events from Blackstone for an enterprise value of £2.24 billion. The acquisition is expected to add over 100 specialist event brands to Informa’s portfolio, covering sectors such as defense, security, technology, energy, gaming, and travel. The deal aims to strengthen Informa’s presence in North America, Asia, and Europe.

Alongside the acquisition, Informa announced plans to separate its academic markets division, Taylor & Francis. The company is reviewing all options for the division to provide it with greater flexibility for future development, with results expected in March. To help fund the Clarion acquisition, Informa intends to raise £940 million through a share placing.

Group chief executive Stephen A. Carter stated that these moves accelerate the company’s focus on its core B2B business. Since 2014, Informa’s B2B revenues have grown tenfold.