UK-listed events company Informa has agreed to buy Clarion Events from Blackstone for £2.24 billion, while starting a process to separate its academic publishing business, Taylor & Francis. The two moves would leave Informa more focused on conferences, exhibitions and other events for businesses.
Clarion, which is based in the UK, runs more than 100 specialist event brands. Its portfolio includes exhibitions in electronics, defence, gaming, technology and energy. Informa said the acquisition would expand its reach in Europe, North America and Asia.
To help pay for the deal, Informa announced plans to raise about £940 million by issuing new shares. The rest would come from acquisition financing. The company expects the purchase to be completed towards the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approval. It should not yet be described as a completed takeover.
What happens to Taylor & Francis?
Informa has begun reviewing options for Taylor & Francis, the publisher of academic books and journals. It intends to separate the business but has not announced the final structure or a buyer. The company says it will report the outcome of its review with its full-year results in March 2027.
The decision matters beyond Informa’s events business. Taylor & Francis is a major name in academic publishing, while Clarion’s exhibitions bring together companies across several industries. For now, Informa’s expected growth and financial benefits from the purchase remain company forecasts, dependent on the deal closing and the businesses being combined successfully.
