Informa, one of the world’s largest events companies, has agreed to acquire Clarion Events for £2.24 billion, expanding its portfolio of live trade shows and exhibitions globally. The deal, expected to close by the end of the year, will nearly double Informa’s live events business to around 1,000 shows across more than 30 countries, with combined revenues exceeding £4.2 billion.

Clarion Events, owned by the American private equity firm Blackstone, operates over 125 exhibitions worldwide, including prominent events such as the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference in London, as well as technology, gaming, energy, and consumer-focused shows. Blackstone purchased Clarion for approximately £600 million in 2017 and has since realized a fourfold return on its investment.

Informa, a FTSE 100 company led by group CEO Lord Carter of Barnes, already hosts over 800 events globally, including high-profile gatherings like the Monaco Yacht Show and the Cannes Lions advertising festival. The acquisition complements Informa’s existing business and supports its strategy to deepen presence in markets such as India, the Middle East, and Africa—regions where Clarion has limited exposure. Carter highlighted opportunities to introduce Clarion’s brands into these territories, where Informa’s revenue has grown steadily.

To help finance the acquisition, Informa has raised approximately £940 million from shareholders. The transaction will increase net debt to three times adjusted earnings initially, with a target to reduce this ratio to 2.5 times by the end of 2027.

Alongside the acquisition announcement, Informa disclosed plans to separate its academic publishing arm, Taylor & Francis, which generated £671 million in revenue and an operating profit of £208 million last year. The company is reviewing options for Taylor & Francis, including a potential sale or spin-off, though no definitive decisions have been made. Carter emphasized that separating the publishing and events businesses would provide more focused operations and benefit shareholders.

This acquisition marks another significant step in Informa’s ongoing consolidation of the events industry. Earlier deals include its 2023 purchase of Tarsus Group for $940 million and a £1.2 billion acquisition of Ascential, a London-listed competitor, in 2024. These moves have strengthened Informa’s foothold across multiple regions and sectors amid a fragmented industry landscape.

Despite recent disruptions in global events due to geopolitical tensions, Informa has maintained guidance for at least 6 percent growth in underlying revenue for the year. Analyst perspectives point to Carter’s strategic acquisitions as consistently adding value and delivering strong financial results. While questions remain about the extent of future consolidation in the sector, Informa’s scale and diverse portfolio position it as a dominant player in the global trade show market.