Blackstone has agreed to sell Clarion, a UK-based events business founded in 1947 that operates over 100 specialist B2B live events brands including IFA Berlin, DSEI and ICE, to London-listed Informa for £2.24 billion ($3.0 billion). The transaction values Clarion at 11.1x expected 2027 EBITDA before synergies, reducing to 8x after accounting for £50 million in cost synergies and £25 million in revenue synergies. Clarion is expected to generate over £575 million in 2027 revenue with adjusted operating profit margins exceeding 30 percent.
Lisa Hannant, Clarion CEO, will join Informa’s executive leadership team and roll over part of her equity into Informa shares upon completion. The deal is funded by dedicated acquisition financing, equity placing, and retail offers totaling £940 million, with Informa pausing its share buyback program. Completion is anticipated by the end of Q4 2026 pending regulatory approvals.
Informa also plans to separate its academic business, Taylor & Francis.
Fuente: PE Hub · Resumido por HeadlinesBriefing