informa

Informa acquires Clarion for £2.24 billion, deepening its focus on B2B events

📌 Informa has agreed to acquire Clarion Events from Blackstone at an enterprise value of £2.24 billion, its largest deal since the UBM acquisition in 2018. Clarion is expected to generate more than £575 million in revenue in 2027, with an adjusted operating margin above 30%.

🌍 Following the acquisition, Informa’s B2B events business will span around 1,000 brands across more than 30 countries. The initial valuation is equivalent to 11.1x expected 2027 EBITDA and could fall to around 8x if targeted synergies are fully achieved.

📈 Informa plans to raise about £940 million through a new share issuance, equivalent to roughly 9% of its equity base, while pausing share buybacks. Despite the dilution, the stock rose nearly 3% in early London trading.

🔎 In parallel, Informa will review options for Taylor & Francis, including a potential sale or separation, with a decision expected in March 2027, reinforcing the group’s strategic shift toward events.

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