Clarion Blackstone eyes £2bn sale of London-based Clarion Events
Deal News | May 22, 2025 | Business Cloud
Blackstone, a leading investment firm based in New York, has started the sale process for Clarion Events, a London-based company known for its portfolio of international B2B trade shows across various sectors. Clarion, acquired by Blackstone in 2017 for £600m, is now potentially valued at approximately £2bn. This transaction could mark one of Blackstone's largest private equity exits this year. Potential buyers such as CVC Capital Partners, KKR, Ardian, PAI Partners, and Hillhouse Investment have shown interest in acquiring Clarion. The company has recently experienced substantial revenue growth, particularly in the Asia-Pacific markets. Despite Blackstone's dropping net income and share price in the recent quarter, the firm proceeds with offering Clarion at an evaluated 12x EBITDA, though the conclusion of the deal remains uncertain.
Sectors
- Private Equity
- Events Management
- Investment Management
Geography
- United Kingdom – Clarion Events is based in London.
- United States – Blackstone, the selling company, is headquartered in New York.
- China – Clarion has a notable presence in China via its Global Sources platform.
Industry
- Private Equity – The article discusses Blackstone's intention to sell its stake in Clarion Events, a significant private equity transaction.
- Events Management – Clarion Events operates a portfolio of international B2B trade shows, situating it in the events management industry.
- Investment Management – The firms interested in acquiring Clarion, such as CVC Capital Partners and KKR, are involved in investment management.
Financials
- £2bn – The estimated value of Clarion Events in the sale process initiated by Blackstone.
- £600m – The initial purchase price when Blackstone acquired Clarion Events in 2017.
- 432.9m – Clarion's revenue reported for the 12 months to January 2024.
- 12x EBITDA – The potential valuation multiple for Clarion Events in the sale process.
- $614.8m – Blackstone's net income reported in Q1 2025.
- $847.4m – Blackstone's net income in Q1 2024, showing a decrease in the current period.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackstone | Selling Company | Companies | A major New York-based investment firm initiating the sale of Clarion Events. |
| Clarion Events | Target company | Companies | A London-based firm specializing in international B2B trade shows. |
| CVC Capital Partners | Potential Buyer | Companies | A private equity and investment firm showing interest in Clarion Events. |
| KKR | Potential Buyer | Companies | A global investment firm expressing interest in acquiring Clarion Events. |
| Ardian | Potential Buyer | Companies | A private investment house considering the acquisition of Clarion Events. |
| PAI Partners | Potential Buyer | Companies | A private equity firm also interested in acquiring Clarion Events. |
| Hillhouse Investment | Potential Buyer | Companies | A Pan-Asian private equity firm with interest in Clarion Events. |
| Lisa Hannant | CEO of Clarion Events | People | The leader of Clarion Events, involved in its operations and growth. |