Informa to Acquire Clarion in GBP2.2 Billion Deal, Spin Off Academic Division

04:39 AM EDT, 10/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Informa (INF.L) shares rose Tuesday morning after it agreed to acquire B2B live events company Clarion from Blackstone for an enterprise value of 2.24 billion pounds sterling, and announced plans to separate its academic markets division. The Clarion acquisition is expected to boost Informa's adjusted diluted EPS by mid-single-digit in 2027, the company said Tuesday. It expects a double-digit post-tax return on invested capital within three years. The addition of over 100 B2B brands is expected to take Informa's B2B live events segment revenue to more than 4.2 billion. The deal will also expand its presence in high-growth categories, including electronics, defense and security, and gaming, while strengthening its position in technology and energy. The acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to regulatory approvals, will be partially financed through a 940 million-pound equity raise. Meanwhile, Informa said it is reviewing all options for its Taylor & Francis unit, which generates nearly $1 billion in revenue, as it seeks to sharpen its focus on its core B2B operations. An outcome of the review is expected to be announced alongside the company's 2026 results in March 2027. "The planned separation of Taylor & Francis coincides with further expansion in B2B through the [2.24 billion-pound] acquisition of Clarion, the UK-based owner of more than 100 B2B Live Event brands. The combination will underscore Informa as the UK-listed, international leader in B2B Live Events, with annual Group revenues exceeding $6bn and underlying revenue growth of 7%±," Informa Group Chief Executive Stephen Carter said. Informa shares were up more than 3% during early trading in London.