UK events firm that hosts arms fairs and comic shows sold to rival for £2bn
FTSE 100 firm Informa to buy Clarion from private equity group Blackstone Business live – latest updates A British events business that hosts arms fairs and conventions for comic book fans has been snapped up by a FTSE 100 rival for more than £2bn. Informa has struck a £2.24bn deal to buy the London-based events organiser Clarion from the private equity group Blackstone Continue reading...
British events company Informa has acquired Clarion, a rival firm known for hosting arms fairs and conventions for comic book fans. The acquisition, valued at £2.24 billion, will bolster Informa's portfolio with more than 100 events, including the defense and security exhibition DSEI and the comic book-themed Awesome Con. DSEI, held biennially in London and other locations, has faced protests in recent years.
Clarion's portfolio also includes travel shows, classic car meet-ups, and events for technology, gaming, design, and engineering industries. Stephen Carter, Informa's CEO, aims to strengthen the company's focus on live events while also planning to spin off its academic publishing arm, Taylor & Francis. Informa, headquartered in London and employing 14,000 people, hosts industry events globally, such as London Tech Week and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Despite flat shares this year due to Middle East conflicts, Informa generates more than a third of its revenue in India, the Middle East, and Asia. The company plans to raise £940 million through a share placing to fund the Clarion deal, which it hopes will accelerate growth and boost earnings per share starting in 2027.
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