Nineteen Group has announced the acquisition of Western Business Exhibitions (WBE) along with investment from private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners.
The two organisers had previously announced a collaboration for the 2019 launch of WBE show The Security Event.
The acquisition adds to Nineteen Group’s existing security events, which include the International Security Expo and the International Disaster Response Expo. Western Business Exhibitions will add ten events, including The Fire Safety Event and The Health & Safety Event, and seven trade publications to the Nineteen Group portfolio.
The investment from Phoenix will enable the organiser to grow significantly, providing funding to further expand existing exhibitions, launch new exhibitions and make strategic acquisitions similar to the WBE acquisition.
Kevin Keck, partner at Phoenix, said: “The trade exhibitions market is highly attractive, and we have spent a lot of time searching for the right opportunity to invest in the sector again. We are delighted to be backing the outstanding team at Nineteen Group.”
Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group, added: “I’m really proud of the business we have built at Nineteen; we deliver high quality events with people at their heart. I’m excited to bring Western Business Exhibitions and their fantastic portfolio into the Nineteen Group. Phoenix’s investment and experience will enable us to seize more opportunities like this in the future and to fulfil our ambitious plans for growth.”
Tristan Norman, founder and event director of The Security Event, said: “From our first meeting with Peter Jones and Nineteen Events the synergies were abundantly clear. Furthermore, the investment from Phoenix Equity Partners and subsequent acquisition of Western Business Exhibitions places The Security Event in the strongest possible position to deliver the UK’s number one channel focused event for the UK security industry.
“Now as part of Nineteen Group we are able to offer the industry two shows (TSE & ISE) in two world class venues, each tailored to the needs of both the exhibitors and visitors. We are immensely excited about what can be achieved as a group through continued support of the growing UK security industry across the entire spectrum. It goes without saying that we will remain true to our initial concept and show ethos which has proven so popular to date. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our stakeholders, in particular our founding partners for the support on what has been a hugely exciting journey thus far and we look forward to a phenomenal inaugural event in April.”
Jones concluded: “I couldn’t be more excited about the acquisition of WBE. They are a formidable team who run a great stable of complementary events. As for their launch of ‘The Security Event’ – they are bringing it back home to the NEC and winning the hearts and minds of the industry by stripping it back to its original format, whilst ensuring it is rsh and relevant for the market today.”
