Informa plc, the international B2B events and data group, has published full year results for 2023, showing revenue up 30% on an underlying basis to £3,189.6m (2022: £2,262.4m), Adjusted Operating Profit rose by 59% underlying to £853.8m (2022: £496.3m), significantly ahead of market guidance set at the start of last year. The group's financial report also noted strong underlying growth in live and on-demand events, including in Pharma, Healthcare, Technology, Aviation, Food and Beauty.
Informa painted a picture of strong Q1 trading, already delivering £500m in revenue in 2024, with a further £1bn+ in subscriptions and other forward booked revenues committed or visible. The group said expansion of brand portfolios in India and the Middle East is driving strong regional growth.
Stephen Carter (pictured), Informa’s group chief executive, said the final results confirmed further outperformance in 2023 and continuing momentum and growth in 2024.
“Strong growth in IMEA, (India, Middle East & Africa)… leads to updated 2024 guidance. We are expanding our platform in B2B Digital Services through the proposed combination with TechTarget. And we are delivering further strong shareholder returns in 2024, including continuing dividend growth and a minimum of £340m of in-year share buybacks.”
The scale and reach of Informa Connect, the group’s content-led and on-demand experiences, specialist content and accredited training business, has increased significantly in recent years. Strong underlying growth, combined with the addition of brands from Tarsus, Winsight, Informa Markets (the Anti-Aging and Aesthetics portfolio) and, post the proposed TechTarget combination6, the Informa Tech events portfolio, should take Informa Connect’s annual revenues to over $1bn, with more than 70% delivered in the US, the group noted.
This expanded portfolio includes a range of marquee brands, the annual convening place for their industry. Informa views them as major growth engines deeply embedded within their markets, with the expanded Informa Connect’s Top 50 brands delivering c.60% of event revenue.
This week, Informa also hosted LEAP in Saudi Arabia. LEAP is the world's most attended tech event, attracting 215,000 attendees 4-7 March. The event also hosted 1,100 world-renowned speakers from industries ranging from AI, economy, retail, fashion, gaming, health and more.
