Informa Explained

Informa plc
Type:Public limited company
Traded As:
FTSE 100 Component
Location:London, England, UK
Locations:150 offices
Area Served:43+ countries worldwide
Industry:Publishing, business intelligence, global exhibitions, Events
Services:Specialist information, scholarly research, electronic publishing, event management, exhibitions, business intelligence
Revenue: £3,189.6 million (2023)[1]
Operating Income: £853.8 million (2023)
Net Income: £462.7 million (2023)
Num Employees:11,000 (2024)[2]
Divisions:Informa Connect, Informa Markets, Informa Tech, Taylor & Francis

Informa plc is a British publishing, business intelligence, and exhibitions group based in London, England. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

It has offices in 43 countries and around 11,000 employees. Informa owns numerous brands including CRC Press, Fan Expo HQ, Game Developers Conference, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis.

Informa acquired UBM in June 2018 as part of its strategy to expand in North America and Asia.[3] [4]

History

Informa itself was created in 1998 by the merger of IBC Group plc and LLP Group plc.[5] Since then Informa has expanded considerably, including a 2004 merger with the publishing company Taylor & Francis and a 2005 acquisition of IIR Holdings, a human capital development company, for £768 million.[6] [7] In October 2006, the company was approached by Springer Science and Business Media in a takeover bid,[8] but in early November the Informa board rejected the 630p per share offer as too low.[9]

In early 2007, chairman Richard Hooper announced his retirement in May and, after consulting with major shareholders, the company moved chief executive Peter Rigby to chairman, and managing director David Gilbertson to Rigby's former post. Informa explained Rigby's move by the need to maintain management stability, although it generated some controversy because it did not follow the advice of the UK's Combined Code on Corporate Governance.[6] [10]

On 8 June 2008, The Sunday Telegraph revealed that United Business Media (UBM) had proposed a merger with Informa to create a media group worth over £3 billion.[11] The talks were confirmed by Informa in a press release that same day, but described as "preliminary".[12] [13] Previously on 13 May The Times had reported that the Carlyle Group and Apax Partners were considering bidding for the company.[14] On 17 June talks with UBM ended because of the rapid rise in Informa's stock price after the public disclosure of the potential merger.[15] On 26 June a private equity consortium consisting of Providence Equity Partners, the Carlyle Group and Hellman & Friedman proposed a takeover bid offering 506 pence per share.[16]

In May 2009 the company announced that it would restructure its business to be incorporated in Jersey but tax resident in Switzerland.[17]

The discontinued domain Informaworld provided subscribers with more than half a million journal articles and 13,000 e-books from all its imprints.[18] In June 2011 the journals and e-books transferred to a new website, Taylor & Francis Online. Abstracting and indexing databases and bibliographic databases were to move from Informaworld to Taylor & Francis Online at a later date.[19]

In July 2013, the company announced that Peter Rigby would retire at the end of 2013 to be replaced as CEO by Stephen Carter.[20] Also in 2013, Informa acquired the Canadian company Hobby Star Marketing, who ran the Fan Expo Canada and Toronto Comicon comic book conventions. Informa has since acquired other conventions and placed them under the auspices of their Fan Expo HQ brand, including Dallas Comic Con and MegaCon.[21] [22] [23]

In December 2013, Informa acquired the assets of Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) from Reed Elsevier. The EBI business unit includes such publications as The Pink Sheet, The Gray Sheet, IN VIVO, Start-Up, and the Strategic Transactions database along with a series of notable conferences. The EBI assets combined with Scrip, Datamonitor and several other publications formed the newly created Pharma Intelligence division of Informa Business Information.[24]

In January 2014, Carter became CEO of Informa plc.[25] In September 2017, Informa announced that it would be acquiring Dove Medical Press.[26]

In January 2018, Informa announced its intent to acquire UBM plc.[27] The transaction was completed in June 2018.[28]

In 2019, Informa sold the former UBM Life Sciences to MJH Associates.[29] Later in 2019, Informa traded it Agriculture Intelligence unit to IHS Markit in exchange for most of IHS Markit's Technology, Media and Telecoms division.[30] Also in 2019, Informa sold the former Penton design & engineering, manufacturing, energy, buildings, and commercial vehicle divisions, and the former UBM Automotive, to Endeavor Business Media.[31]

In February 2020, Informa launched Omdia by consolidating its portfolio of market analyst companies, Ovum Ltd, Heavy Reading, Tractica, and the majority of IHS Markit's technology, media and telecommunications research business, into a unified brand. The combined research offering includes more than 400 analysts and consultants covering 150 technology markets. Collectively, Omdia issues over 3,000 research reports annually.[32]

In February 2022, Informa sold its Informa Pharma Intelligence unit to investment fund, Warburg Pincus for $2.6 billion.[33] It also sold Lloyd's List and EPFR to Montagu Private Equity in 2022.[34]

In March 2023, in a cash and shares deal, Informa acquired the Irish Tarsus Group from Charterhouse Capital Partners for a reported GBP 790m.[35] [36] [37]

In June 2024, Informa closed two UK-based titles: Digital TV Europe and Television Business International.[38]

In July 2024, the company reached a deal to acquire media and events company Ascential for approximately £1.2 billion.[39]

Operations

Informa is organized into four operating divisions: Informa Connect, Informa Markets, Informa Tech, and Taylor & Francis.[40]

In June 2021, John Rishton was appointed as chairman, replacing Derek Mapp.[41]

Brands

Informa owns numerous brands including CRC Press, Fan Expo HQ, Game Developers Conference, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis. Retired and consolidated brands include Institute for International Research, Ovum Ltd, Penton, The Public Ledger, and UBM.

Informa Connect

Informa Markets

Informa Tech

Taylor & Francis

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Preliminary Results 2023. Informa. 8 March 2024.
  2. Web site: About us. Informa. 11 February 2024.
  3. News: Informa acquires US events and publishing rival for £1.2bn. Financial Times. 15 September 2016. FT. 19 February 2020. Fildes. Nic. 19 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200219202702/https://www.ft.com/content/d4cf7b1e-7b40-11e6-ae24-f193b105145e. live.
  4. News: Informa sales climb after £4bn UBM takeover. Financial Times. 7 March 2019. FT. 19 February 2020. Nilsson. Patricia. 19 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200219202703/https://www.ft.com/content/7abbdc02-40b5-11e9-9bee-efab61506f44. live.
  5. Web site: 1998-11-20 . LLP links with IBC in pounds 300m business group . 2023-04-29 . The Independent . en.
  6. News: ROUNDUP Informa names new chairman, CEO after FY profits soar . Forbes . 14 March 2007 . 31 December 2007.
  7. News: T&F Informa buys conferences group Institute for International Research for 768 mln stg . Forbes . 1 June 2007 . 31 December 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20081121012535/https://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2005/06/01/afx2068249.html. 21 November 2008.
  8. News: Hans . Kundnani . Springer Science & Business Media launches bid for Informa . The Guardian . 19 October 2006 . 30 December 2007 . London . 4 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223416/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/oct/19/privateequity.pressandpublishing . live .
  9. News: Informa rejects Springer bid . AFX News Limited . 3 November 2006 . 30 December 2007.
  10. News: Informa unveils new CEO, chairman as 2006 results top forecasts . Forbes . 14 March 2006 . 30 December 2007.
  11. News: Ben . Harrington . Kleinman, Mark . Media giants United Business Media and Informa open talks on £3bn merger . https://web.archive.org/web/20080613162111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/money/2008/06/08/cnubm108.xml . dead . 13 June 2008 . The Sunday Telegraph . 8 June 2008 . 8 June 2008 . London.
  12. News: Statement Regarding Press Speculation . Informa . 8 June 2008 . 8 June 2008 .
  13. News: UBM and Informa confirm merger talks . The Guardian . 9 June 2008 . 18 July 2013 . London . 8 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150708200521/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/09/mediabusiness.unitedbusinessmedia?INTCMP=SRCH . live .
  14. News: Amanda . Andrews . Kennedy, Siobhan . Informa garners attention of private equity . The Times . 13 May 2008 . 8 June 2008 . London . 9 July 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080709064326/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article3919555.ece . live .
  15. News: Sarah . Arnott . Cash approach for Informa as merger talks end with UBM . The Independent . 18 June 2008 . 7 July 2008 . London . 19 June 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080619023245/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/cash-approach-for-informa-as-merger-talks-end-with-ubm-849295.html . live .
  16. News: Simon . Thiel . Sabine Pirone . Informa Rises on $4.29 Billion Private-Equity Offer . Bloomberg . 2 July 2008 . 7 July 2008.
  17. News: Publishing firm Informa blames budget for tax switch . The Guardian . 1 May 2009 . 4 May 2009 . London . Julia . Kollewe . 8 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150708200519/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/may/01/informa-budget-tax-switch . live .
  18. Griffin . Daniel . December 2006 . Single vision of the world at Informa . Information World Review . 230 . 2 .
  19. Web site: Taylor & Francis Online – FAQs . 2011 . Taylor & Francis Group . 23 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130509172503/https://resources.tandfonline.com/documents/library-faqs.pdf . 9 May 2013 . dead .
  20. Web site: Informa announces retirement of Peter Rigby and appointment of Stephen Carter . 10 July 2013 . 10 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130816155124/https://informa.com/Media-centre/Press-releases--news/Latest-News/Informa-announces-retirement-of-Peter-Rigby-and-appointment-of-Stephen-Carter-as-Chief-Executive/ . 16 August 2013 . dead .
  21. Web site: Dallas Comic Con Gets a New Owner and Home. Dallas Observer. 18 February 2014. 24 February 2016. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304154338/http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-comic-con-gets-a-new-owner-and-home-7082192. live.
  22. News: Dineen. Caitlin. Orlando's MegaCon sold to Informa. 9 April 2015. Orlando Sentinel. 7 April 2015. 8 April 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150408234852/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/tourism-central-florida-blog/os-orlando-megacon-sold-to-informa-20150407-post.html. live.
  23. Mantei. Shelley. 9 April 2015. Informa Exhibitions Expands Pop Culture Convention Portfolio With MegaCon Orlando. Orlando, Florida. FAN EXPO HQ. 9 April 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034721/http://fanexpocanada.com/wp-content/uploads/MegaCon-Purchase_Press-Release_04072015.pdf. live.
  24. Web site: Informa Acquires Elsevier Business Intelligence . 9 December 2013 . 9 December 2013 . 12 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212222933/http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/NewsBreaks/Informa-Acquires-Elsevier-Business-Intelligence-93697.asp . live .
  25. News: Informa Confirms Stephen Carter To Be CEO, Effective Jan. 1 – Update. RTT News. 31 December 2013. 2 July 2014. 14 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714225258/http://www.rttnews.com/2245312/informa-confirms-stephen-carter-to-be-ceo-effective-jan-1-update.aspx. live.
  26. News: Informa acquires Dove Medical Press, AA appoints Simon Breakwell as permanent chief executive. BOLSAMANIA. 12 October 2017. 12 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171012164957/https://www.digitallook.com/news/market-live-email/informa-acquires-dove-medical-press-aa-appoints-simon-breakwell-as-permanent-chief-executive--2877690.html. live.
  27. News: Informa to buy exhibitions rival UBM for £4bn. Financial Times. 16 January 2018. 1 June 2018. Garrahan. Matthew. Pfeifer. Sylvia. 16 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616130749/https://www.ft.com/content/e22e79fe-fb96-11e7-a492-2c9be7f3120a. live.
  28. Web site: Informa's takeover of peer UBM effective after court sanction. Alliance News. 15 June 2018. 16 June 2018. 16 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180616130057/https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1529077402234106100.html. dead.
  29. Web site: Informa Sells UBM Life Sciences Media Brands to MJH Associates for $100 Million. Folio. 2019-11-29. 2019-02-01. 28 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200328154952/https://www.foliomag.com/informa-sells-ubm-life-sciences-media-brands-to-mjh-associates-for-100-million/. live.
  30. Web site: IHS Markit swaps group that researches optical communications for Informa's agribusiness unit. Lightwave. 2019-11-29. 2019-05-24. 9 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200809145550/https://www.lightwaveonline.com/business/market-research/article/14033814/ihs-markit-swaps-group-that-researches-optical-communications-for-informas-agribusiness-unit. live.
  31. Web site: Endeavor Business Media Acquires More Than 20 B2B Titles from Informa Plc. Folio. 2019-11-29. 2019-11-11. 26 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226015004/https://www.foliomag.com/endeavor-acquires-two-dozen-infrastructure-transportation-brands-informa/. live.
  32. Web site: Informa Tech launches "research powerhouse" Omdia. Digital TV. 10 February 2020. 8 March 2021. 7 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210507062800/https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2020/02/10/informa-tech-launches-research-powerhouse-omdia/. live.
  33. News: Informa sells Informa Intelligence business unit . Reuters . 10 Feb 2022 . 2 July 2022 . London .
  34. News: Informa sells Lloyd's List for £385m as B2B giant sees revenue bounce back. 5 August 2022. Press Gazette. 26 December 2022.
  35. Web site: 2023-03-09 . Charterhouse exits Tarsus to Informa for GBP 790m EV Unquote . 2023-09-28 . www.unquote.com . en.
  36. Web site: Informa Acquires Tarsus Group in $940 Million Mega Deal . 2023-09-28 . TSNN . en.
  37. Web site: Informa acquires Tarsus in $940m deal . 2023-09-28 . Exhibition World . en.
  38. Web site: Tobitt . Charlotte . 2024-06-10 . Informa closes two B2B news brands covering TV business . 2024-06-12 . Press Gazette . en-US.
  39. News: Thomas . Daniel . Massoudi . Arash . 24 July 2024 . Informa agrees to buy Cannes Lions owner Ascential for almost £1.2bn . Financial Times.
  40. Web site: Divisions - Informa PLC. 8 March 2021. 13 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210213053746/https://www.informa.com/divisions/. live.
  41. Web site: John Rishton . 2022-05-17 . www.informa.com.
  42. Web site: Everything you need to check out at FAN EXPO Vancouver 2022 Listed . 2022-04-23 . dailyhive.com . en.
  43. Web site: Inside Self-Storage World Expo, Las Vegas, July 13–16, 2021. issworldexpo.com. 28 December 2021. 28 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211228152005/https://www.issworldexpo.com/en/home.html. live.
  44. News: About . 12 August 2023 . . en.

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