Informa Group has today announced the formal acquisition of Clarion Events for £2.24bn ($2.96bn) as it looks to expand its presence in the B2B events sector.
The organisation has also confirmed the simultaneous separation of its academic Taylor & Francis business, as it executes the latest phase of its live events growth strategy. Indeed, this latest deal spells a new era for Clarion and, of course, its premium gaming event, ICE, which now has new owners.
Contextually, Blackstone – Clarion's previous owners – reported a full-year revenue of around $10bn during 2025, while Informa has outlined that the addition of Clarion should see its full-year 2026 revenue over $6bn. However, Informa has specifically named gaming as one of the key pillars behind this acquisition, as Clarion’s event portfolio spans multiple sectors.
Speaking on the announcement, Informa Group CEO Stephen Carter stated: “The planned separation of Taylor & Francis coincides with further expansion in B2B through the £2.24bn 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.
“Today’s announcements mark the latest step in a growth strategy that has seen B2B revenues grow tenfold since 2014, whilst generating more than $3bn of value in Business Intelligence and lifting Taylor & Francis revenues fourfold since it joined the Group. The addition of the Clarion company to the Informa Group will give additional oxygen and capability to our existing portfolio.”
This latest development falls in the wake of an additional announcement that ICE is set to expand further next year, with the addition of a new hall for gaming’s technology, data and fintech leaders.
ICE 2026 saw Players Publishing honoured with Clarion’s Landmark Award
