Informa is set to purchase Clarion Events from Blackstone for £2.24 billion (approximately US$2.96 billion), significantly enhancing its footprint in the rapidly growing B2B events sector, particularly in gaming.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, with the transaction expected to finalize in the fourth quarter of 2026, valuing Clarion at 11.1 times its anticipated EBITDA for 2027.
For the year 2027, Clarion is projected to achieve revenues exceeding £575 million (around US$759.4 million). The acquisition will include Clarion's WorldGaming division, which encompasses major events like ICE and iGB L!VE, along with brands operating in industries such as defense and electronics.
Blackstone originally acquired Clarion in 2017 from Providence Equity Partners and managed the firm through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which live events were largely suspended.
Stephen Carter, CEO of Informa, expressed that this acquisition aligns with the company’s goal of becoming the largest B2B live events organization globally. As part of this transition, Informa will separate its academic division, Taylor & Francis, allowing it to concentrate on B2B live events.
Carter emphasized in a video shared on Informa's LinkedIn that integrating Clarion will enhance their existing portfolio, particularly in the gaming sector. The newly formed entity is anticipated to generate over $6 billion in annual revenue, with an underlying growth rate of 7%.
Alex Pratt, Managing Director of Clarion’s WorldGaming, noted that Informa’s data capabilities and global reach are essential for advancing their live and digital ecosystem.
Once the acquisition is completed, Informa's B2B live events division is expected to generate revenues surpassing £4.2 billion (approximately US$5.55 billion) across about 1,000 specialized brands. The company believes this acquisition will provide geographical advantages in North America, Asia, and Europe, while also opening up new growth avenues in India, the Middle East, and Africa, where Clarion currently has limited presence.
Informa stated that the addition of Clarion will solidify its leading role in B2B Live Events, incorporating world-class brands in high-growth sectors. The integration of Clarion’s offerings into Informa’s growth platform is expected to create substantial revenue opportunities, positioning the expanded B2B Live Events division as a strong growth operator with over 7% underlying growth.
The acquisition is projected to yield around £50 million (approximately US$66 million) in annual operational savings through enhanced efficiencies across various functions, including operations, procurement, and event delivery.
By 2029, the combined businesses are also expected to generate an additional £25 million (around US$33 million) in annual operating profit from increased revenue.
Clarion's CEO, Lisa Hannant, will continue in her role post-acquisition and will join Informa’s executive leadership team. She remarked that this acquisition signifies a pivotal new phase for Clarion, which has established a portfolio of leading brands and strong market positions.
The acquisition will be financed through cash from dedicated acquisition funding and the net proceeds from an equity placement and retail offering, totaling approximately £940 million (around US$1.24 billion).
Informa anticipates that its pro forma net debt will remain below three times EBITDA by the end of 2026 and drop below 2.5 times by the end of 2027. To facilitate this transaction, the company will also suspend its existing share buyback program.
Furthermore, Informa expects the acquisition to boost adjusted diluted earnings per share by a mid-single-digit percentage in 2027 and to achieve a double-digit post-tax return on invested capital within three years.