Informa Acquires Tarsus Group in $940 Million Mega Deal
March 9, 2023
In the largest post-pandemic exhibition acquisition deal by far, Informa has bought Tarsus Group from private equity firm Charterhouse Capital Partners for $940 million. The acquisition was funded with cash and $210m of new Informa shares.
"We have long admired the Tarsus business which, like Informa, has been built around major brands in attractive, specialist B2B markets in the growing regions of Asia, China, the Middle East and the Americas,” said Informa Group CEO Stephen A. Carter.
The Informa Board believes the combination is both commercially and financially compelling, with strong portfolio alignment that will deliver enhanced value for customers, additional opportunities for colleagues and attractive returns for shareholders.
Douglas Emslie, CEO of Tarsus Group, said, “I am extremely proud of the Tarsus business, our people and our customers. I could not think of a better partner than Informa to lead our brands and colleagues through the next phase of growth and expansion.”
Tarsus Group was a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange before it was bought by Charterhouse in 2019.
"We are proud to have supported Tarsus’ development since 2019 and are confident that Informa is exceptionally well placed to deliver the next stage of the company’s growth strategy,” said Charterhouse Partner Robert Leeming. “We look forward to becoming a shareholder.”
A combination programme will be run through January 2024 that has the following three key objectives:
Deliver: Maximize 2023 performance, minimizing disruption and distraction in what is a key year of return, growth and acceleration for Live B2B Events;
Discover: Make growth-focused people, brand and business combination decisions;
Combine: Ensure the portfolios enter 2024 successfully, operating as one company under the Informa brand.
Informa COO Mark Temple-Smith will step in as executive chair of Tarsus from completion through to the end of the Combination Programme in January 2024. Temple-Smith formerly was the CEO of Asia for Tarsus.
Emslie will become a senior advisor to the Informa Group through the Combination Programme, guiding on talent, brands and partnerships.
The combination of Tarsus with Informa is expected to generate c.$20m annualized operating synergies by 2025 through efficiencies in procurement, real estate, technology, event contracts and other areas.
The combination also is expected to deliver incremental revenue benefits through cross marketing of Brands, digital expansion and new event launches, as well as harvesting first party data from Tarsus into IIRIS.
Tarsus launched in 1998 and under the leadership of Emslie has grown to more than 160 events globally in the United States, Mexico, China, South East Asia, the Middle East, Turkey and Europe in key verticals, including aviation, medical, labels and packaging, travel, housewares and automotive.
Since the Charterhouse acquisition in 2019, the Tarsus portfolio has been expanded and enhanced through 24 new launches and 11 targeted acquisitions.
Like Informa, Tarsus is seeing a similar strong return to the market for Live and On-Demand B2B Events in 2023.
The Tarsus business also significantly benefits from biennial events in odd numbered years, including the Dubai Airshow and LabelExpo Europe.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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