Informa has announced plans to acquire events organizer Clarion for £2.24 billion while simultaneously launching a process to separate its Taylor & Francis academic publishing division, marking a significant restructuring of the UK-listed group as it increases its focus on business-to-business events.
The transaction will see Informa purchase Clarion from private equity firm Blackstone, adding more than 100 event brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in several sectors, including gaming, electronics, and defense. Investors reacted positively to the announcement, with Informa shares rising around 4% following the news.
The acquisition ranks among the largest deals completed by Informa in recent years and follows broader consolidation across the global events industry. Earlier in 2026, Hyve Group agreed to a $1.8 billion sale to Hellman & Friedman, while Searchlight Capital Partners acquired a stake in CloserStill Media in a transaction valued at approximately $1.73 billion.
Stephen Carter, Informa’s chief executive, said the company’s earnings profile has increasingly been shaped by its events operations. “To that end, we’re adding another portfolio of brands to our business, Clarion Events, which is a very complementary fit,” he said according to Reuters.
Clarion Acquisition Expands Events Portfolio
Clarion owns a collection of more than 100 business-to-business event brands, including major exhibitions such as ICE Barcelona and iGB Live in the gaming sector, IFA Berlin in consumer electronics, and DSEI in defense and security.
According to Informa, the addition of Clarion will provide immediate access to three strategic growth categories while expanding its portfolio of marquee and power brands to more than 100. The company expects the acquisition to reinforce its position as a leading operator of B2B live events worldwide.
“Informa is today accelerating the focus on our core B2B business, as we announce plans to separate our Academic Markets business, Taylor & Francis,” said Informa’s Group CEO.
Clarion is expected to contribute more than £575 million in revenue during 2027. Informa said the business generates operating margins above 30% and that approximately £100 million of its 2027 revenue will come from biennial events that are not held every year.
The deal values Clarion at approximately 11 times expected 2027 adjusted EBITDA before synergies. Informa estimates that the multiple falls to around eight times EBITDA after anticipated operational and revenue benefits are taken into account.
The company expects to complete the transaction toward the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Clarion will initially continue operating as a separate business within the group, with current chief executive Lisa Hannant remaining in her position and joining Informa’s Executive Leadership Team.
Blackstone also welcomed the agreement. “We believe Informa is the ideal partner for Clarion’s next chapter,” Lionel Assant, global co-chief investment officer at Blackstone said.
Financing, Growth Plans and Future Scale
Informa intends to fund the acquisition through a combination of debt and equity, including a proposed equity raise of approximately £940 million. Management indicated that the share placing was already oversubscribed at the time of presentation.
The company expects the transaction to deliver £50 million in operating synergies and a further £25 million in revenue synergies by the end of 2029. Planned revenue opportunities include expanding Clarion brands into additional markets, particularly in the Middle East, while increasing digital services and lead-generation offerings.
Following completion of the Clarion acquisition and a potential separation of Taylor & Francis, Informa expects its live events division to generate nearly $5 billion in annual revenue. The combined events portfolio would include around 1,000 brands operating across 30 countries and 40 markets, serving more than 9 million attendees and nearly 250,000 exhibitors.
Management reaffirmed its financial guidance for 2026, citing steady trading conditions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The company also reported that event activity in the Middle East has returned at scale, with nearly 20 brands operating in locations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh.