Informa
Informa is a British international group specializing in business-to-business events, academic and professional publishing, specialist information, and digital intelligence.
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Overview
Informa is a London-based international information and business-events group whose activities span academic publishing, professional and specialist content, exhibitions, conferences, festivals, market intelligence, and digital research services. The company was created in 1998 through the merger of IBC Group, formerly International Business Communications, and LLP Group, the publisher associated with Lloyd’s List. It subsequently developed through a combination of acquisitions, portfolio restructuring, and the integration of major publishing and events businesses. A decisive early expansion came in 2004, when Informa merged with academic publisher Taylor & Francis. This gave the group a substantial presence in scholarly journals, books, reference works, and research services. In 2005 it acquired IIR Holdings, strengthening its conference and professional-events operations. Informa also pursued expansion through larger strategic transactions: it acquired Penton in 2016, Yachting Promotions in 2017, and completed the acquisition of UBM in 2018. The UBM transaction significantly enlarged the group's international exhibitions and business-media footprint, particularly in North America and Asia. The group operates through a portfolio of specialist divisions and brands rather than a single consumer-facing product. Its activities include Informa Markets, which produces trade exhibitions and industry events; Informa Connect, which delivers conferences, content, and professional communities; Informa Festivals, which operates large-scale cultural and fan-oriented events; Informa TechTarget, focused on technology media, data, and intent-driven digital marketing; and Taylor & Francis, one of the group's principal academic and scholarly publishing businesses. Other recognizable brands associated with the group include Routledge, CRC Press, Fan Expo, VidCon, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and Omdia. Informa has repeatedly reshaped its portfolio to concentrate on businesses with recurring subscriptions, specialist audiences, strong professional communities, and scalable international events. It sold or transferred several non-core units after the UBM acquisition, including former UBM and Penton businesses, and in 2022 sold Informa Pharma Intelligence to Warburg Pincus for a reported $2.6 billion. The disposal formed part of a broader programme to divest intelligence assets and return capital through a share buyback programme. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Informa's traditional in-person-events model, forcing the cancellation or postponement of many exhibitions and conferences. The company responded by expanding virtual-event capabilities, emphasizing digital content and subscriptions, and adapting its events portfolio. Informa later pursued further technology and international growth. In 2022 it established Tahaluf, a Saudi Arabian events joint venture with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones. In 2024 it agreed to acquire Ascential, an international media and events company, for approximately £1.2 billion; the transaction completed in October 2024. In the same period, the digital business of Informa Tech was combined with TechTarget, creating Informa TechTarget in December 2024. With operations and offices across dozens of countries and approximately 14,000 employees according to company and reference descriptions, Informa serves academic institutions, corporations, professional communities, exhibitors, advertisers, researchers, and event attendees. Its positioning combines trusted specialist content with high-value physical and digital networks. Rather than competing primarily as a general-interest publisher, Informa focuses on narrowly defined sectors where expert information, research, professional education, and commercial connection have significant economic value.
History
Informa was formed in 1998 through the merger of IBC Group plc and LLP Group plc. IBC, formerly known as International Business Communications, specialized in business communications and professional events, while LLP was associated with Lloyd's List and related specialist publishing. The combination created a diversified information group serving professional and industrial audiences. The company expanded its academic and professional publishing base in 2004 through a merger with Taylor & Francis. This transaction became one of the defining steps in Informa's development, adding scholarly journals, academic books, reference works, and specialist research to its events and business-information activities. Informa acquired IIR Holdings in 2005, strengthening its international conference and training operations. During the mid-2000s Informa was the subject of potential corporate approaches. Springer Science and Business Media made a takeover approach in 2006, which Informa's board rejected. In 2008, Informa and United Business Media confirmed that they had held preliminary merger discussions; those talks ended in June without a transaction. In 2007, chairman Richard Hooper announced his retirement, and the company reorganized senior leadership by moving chief executive Peter Rigby into the chairmanship and appointing managing director David Gilbertson to the chief executive role. In 2009 Informa announced a restructuring under which the company would be incorporated in Jersey while being tax resident in Switzerland. The group was redomiciled in the United Kingdom in 2014. That year Stephen Carter became chief executive after Peter Rigby retired at the end of 2013. Informa continued to expand through specialist acquisitions, including the assets of Elsevier Business Intelligence in 2013, Penton in 2016, and Yachting Promotions in 2017. Informa also announced plans to acquire Dove Medical Press in 2017. A major transformation occurred with the acquisition of UBM, announced in 2018 and completed in June of that year. The transaction increased Informa's scale in exhibitions, business media, and specialist events, with particular strategic importance in North America and Asia. Afterward, Informa rationalized the enlarged portfolio. In 2019 it sold UBM Life Sciences to MJH Associates, exchanged its Agriculture Intelligence unit with IHS Markit for most of IHS Markit's technology, media, and telecommunications research business, and sold several former Penton, UBM, and UBM Automotive divisions to Endeavor Business Media. Informa acquired F1000 Research in January 2020. The following month it launched Omdia by bringing together Ovum, Heavy Reading, Tractica, and most of IHS Markit's technology, media, and telecommunications research operations under one research brand. The COVID-19 pandemic then placed severe pressure on the company's physical-events model. Numerous exhibitions and conferences were cancelled or postponed, leading Informa to develop virtual-event formats and place greater emphasis on digital content, subscriptions, and other recurring-revenue products. John Rishton became chairman in June 2021, replacing Derek Mapp. In December 2021 Informa announced a plan to divest its intelligence businesses. In February 2022 it sold Informa Pharma Intelligence to Warburg Pincus for a reported $2.6 billion and subsequently launched a share buyback programme. The same year, Informa created Tahaluf, a joint venture with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, broadening its presence in the Saudi events market. In 2024 Informa pursued further technology and media consolidation. It announced an arrangement to combine the digital business of Informa Tech with TechTarget; the resulting Informa TechTarget business became operational in December 2024. In July 2024 Informa agreed to acquire Ascential for approximately £1.2 billion, and the transaction completed in October. The enlarged group is organized around Informa Connect, Informa Festivals, Informa Markets, Informa TechTarget, Taylor & Francis, and global support functions. Its portfolio combines physical events, digital products, academic publishing, professional information, and specialist research across international markets.
- 2024
Ascential acquisition completed
[1]Informa completes its approximately £1.2 billion acquisition of Ascential.
- 2024
Informa TechTarget formed
[1]The digital business of Informa Tech combines with TechTarget, creating Informa TechTarget.
- 2022
Pharma Intelligence divestment
[1]Informa sells Informa Pharma Intelligence to Warburg Pincus as part of its intelligence-business divestment programme.
- 2022
Tahaluf joint venture launched
[1]Informa and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones establish Tahaluf.
- 2021
John Rishton becomes chairman
[1]John Rishton succeeds Derek Mapp as chairman.
- 2020
Omdia launched
[1]Several technology and telecommunications research businesses are consolidated into the Omdia brand.
- 2018
UBM acquisition completed
[1]Informa completes its acquisition of UBM, materially increasing its international events and business-media scale.
- 2016
Penton acquisition
[1]Informa acquires Penton, expanding its specialist business-media and events portfolio.
- 2016
Joins the FTSE 100
[1]Informa becomes a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
- 2014
Stephen Carter becomes chief executive
[1]Stephen Carter takes over as chief executive, and Informa is redomiciled in the United Kingdom.
Products and positioning
A global business-to-business information, events, and academic-publishing group serving specialist professional, scientific, technical, cultural, and commercial communities.
Academic publishing · 2004
Taylor & Francis
Taylor & Francis is Informa's principal academic-publishing business. It publishes scholarly journals, research books, textbooks, reference works, and digital academic resources across the social sciences, humanities, sciences, technology, medicine, and related disciplines. Its imprints include Routledge and CRC Press, giving the group a broad presence in university libraries, research institutions, and professional education.
Trade events and exhibitions
Informa Markets
Informa Markets develops and operates business-to-business exhibitions, trade shows, conferences, and digital marketplaces. Its events serve sectors such as health care, technology, fashion, food, maritime industries, construction, agriculture, and beauty. The division connects exhibitors, buyers, suppliers, and professional communities in regional and international markets.
Professional conferences and communities
Informa Connect
Informa Connect provides conferences, professional content, networking, training, and community platforms. It targets specialized business audiences that use events and information services for professional development, commercial relationships, and industry collaboration.
Entertainment and cultural events
Informa Festivals
Informa Festivals operates consumer-facing and fan-oriented events, including conventions and large cultural gatherings. The portfolio includes Fan Expo-related conventions and other entertainment properties, combining ticketed attendance, exhibitors, creators, brands, and fan communities.
Technology media and digital marketing · 2024
Informa TechTarget
Informa TechTarget combines technology media, specialist content, digital audience data, and purchase-intent marketing capabilities. The business serves technology vendors and professional buyers through editorial properties, research, data products, and digital demand-generation services.
Market intelligence · 2020
Omdia
Omdia is Informa's technology, media, and telecommunications research brand. It was created by consolidating Ovum, Heavy Reading, Tractica, and most of the acquired IHS Markit technology, media, and telecommunications research operations. Omdia provides analyst research, forecasts, consulting, and industry intelligence.
Fan conventions
Fan Expo
Fan Expo is a group of popular-culture conventions associated with comics, film, television, games, anime, and fan communities. Informa expanded the portfolio through convention acquisitions and placed several properties under the Fan Expo HQ structure.
Creator and digital-culture events
VidCon
VidCon is a creator-economy and online-video event brand bringing together digital creators, fans, platforms, media companies, and advertisers. It is part of Informa's broader portfolio of international festivals and community-driven events.
Brand decisions
2024
Acquiring AscentialM&ABackground
Informa pursued further expansion in media, marketing, information, and events.
Action taken
Informa agreed to acquire Ascential and completed the transaction in October 2024.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Informa's portfolio of international media, marketing, and events assets.
Reported transaction value. Approximately £1.2 billion (2024)
2024
Forming Informa TechTargetM&ABackground
Informa sought to combine its technology-media and digital-marketing capabilities with TechTarget's technology audience and intent-data platform.
Action taken
The digital business of Informa Tech was merged with TechTarget, with the combined business becoming Informa TechTarget in December 2024.
Aftermath
The combination created a larger technology-focused media, data, research, and demand-generation business.
2022
Selling Informa Pharma IntelligenceM&ABackground
The transaction followed Informa's decision to divest its intelligence businesses.
Action taken
Informa sold Informa Pharma Intelligence to Warburg Pincus.
Aftermath
Informa used the portfolio change to concentrate more heavily on events, academic publishing, and selected technology and digital businesses.
Reported transaction value. $2.6 billion (2022)
2022
Creating TahalufM&ABackground
Informa sought to expand its events presence in Saudi Arabia and support the development of the country's technology and business-events ecosystem.
Action taken
Informa established Tahaluf with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones.
Aftermath
Tahaluf became a platform for events and related activities in the Saudi market.
2021
Announcing the intelligence-business divestment programmeStrategyBackground
Informa reviewed its portfolio and sought to focus on events, academic publishing, and selected digital and information businesses.
Action taken
The company announced a programme to divest its intelligence businesses.
Aftermath
The programme included the sale of Informa Pharma Intelligence and was followed by a share buyback programme.
2020
Accelerating digital and virtual eventsStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled or postponed many in-person exhibitions and conferences.
Action taken
Informa shifted parts of its events activity online and emphasized digital products, subscriptions, and recurring information services.
Aftermath
The response helped the group maintain engagement with professional audiences while physical events were disrupted.
2018
Acquiring UBMM&ABackground
Informa sought to expand the scale and geographic reach of its exhibitions and business-media operations.
Action taken
Informa announced and completed the acquisition of UBM.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Informa's position in international trade events, particularly in North America and Asia, and led to subsequent portfolio rationalization.
2008
Ending preliminary UBM merger discussionsM&ABackground
Informa and United Business Media explored a possible merger.
Action taken
The companies ended the preliminary discussions without reaching an agreement.
Aftermath
Informa later acquired UBM in a separate transaction completed in 2018.
2006
Rejecting the Springer takeover approachM&ABackground
Springer Science and Business Media approached Informa with a takeover proposal during a period of consolidation in academic and professional publishing.
Action taken
The Informa board rejected the proposal.
Aftermath
Informa remained independent and continued to expand through its own acquisitions and portfolio strategy.
Recent events
Reported
Randall-Reilly acquires Informa Asset Intelligence business[3]
Randall-Reilly acquired Informa's Asset Intelligence business, comprising the Equipment Watch, Price Digests and FleetSeek brands.
Reported
Informa appoints two non-executive directors[4]
Informa announced the appointments of Joanne Wilson and Louise Smalley as non-executive directors. Smalley will become Chair-Elect of the Remuneration Committee, and Wilson will join the Audit and Nomination Committee.
Reported
Informa and Totem partner to create ConnectMe[5]
Informa partnered with virtual events platform Totem to create ConnectMe, a bespoke version of Totem's platform for use at Informa events.
Reported
Informa Nagoya Hill announces Ramadan promotions[6]
Informa Nagoya Hill offered cashback of 10 percent on eligible furniture purchases, discounts of up to 15 percent on lighting and home accessories, and free delivery for qualifying purchases. The promotion was valid through 31 May 2020 at Informa Nagoya Hill Superblock.
Reported
Endeavor Business Media announces acquisition of Informa media brands[7]
Endeavor Business Media announced the acquisition of a number of Informa's Industry & Infrastructure and Auto Aftermarket media brands, including CONTRACTOR Magazine.
Expo 2020 Dubai agrees partnership with Informa[8]
Expo 2020 Dubai and Informa reached an agreement under which Dubai Exhibition Centre would host events organized by Informa during Expo 2020, and Informa would act as an authorized ticket reseller.
Reported
Endeavor announces acquisition of Informa media brands[9]
Endeavor Business Media announced the acquisition of a number of Informa Industry & Infrastructure and Auto Aftermarket media brands, including Fleet Owner magazine and fleetowner.com.
Reported
Endeavor announces acquisition of Informa media divisions[10]
Endeavor Business Media announced the acquisition of Informa’s Infrastructure Intelligence and Auto divisions. The announcement says the brands will join Endeavor’s portfolio; it does not establish that the acquisition was completed.
Sources12 sources
- 1Informaen.wikipedia.org
- 2Informa plc official websiteinforma.com
- 3Randall-Reilly收购Informa资产智能业务prnewswire.com
- 4Informa任命两名非执行董事directorstalkinterviews.com
- 5Informa与Totem合作创建ConnectMec-mw.net
- 6Informa Nagoya Hill宣布斋月促销batam.tribunnews.com
- 7Endeavor Business Media宣布收购Informa媒体品牌contractormag.com
- 8迪拜世博会与Informa达成合作breakingtravelnews.com
- 9Endeavor宣布收购Informa媒体品牌fleetowner.com
- 10Endeavor宣布收购Informa媒体业务部门securityinfowatch.com
- 11Endeavor Business Media acquires Informa portfolio - Conference and Meetings World | Global MICE Industry News from CMWc-mw.net
- 12Endeavor Business Media Acquires Informa’s Industry & Infrastructure Intelligence and Auto Aftermarket Media Brandsofficer.com
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