Blackstone acquires Clarion Events with long-term client assistance from Joelson

Joelson, a London law firm, has assisted its long-time client Clarion Events in connection with its acquisition by Blackstone.

Joelson has worked for the management team of Clarion Events on the sale of its equity as part of this transaction in the Blackstone acquisition vehicle.

Clarion Events, one of the world’s biggest independent events organisers, has been acquired by Blackstone from Providence Equity Partners and the management team.

Phil Hails-Smith, corporate and commercial partner at Joelson, commented: “We have a long and successful relationship with Clarion Events and its management team.

“We have acted for them since 2005 and this is the third time that we have represented management in connection with an institutional buy-out. This underlines one of our core values of developing long-term relationships with clients over an extended period of time.

“It also reinforces our credentials as one of the leading firms acting for management teams of private equity-backed businesses.”

With more than 950 employees at 13 locations around the world, Clarion helps to deliver more than 180 events and exhibitions each year in 50 countries.

Formed in 1947, Clarion has become one of the largest events companies in the world and Joelson has assisted with a number of its own acquisitions in recent years, including its recent acquisition of iGaming Business and business lead generation company, Qualifa.

Using the funding from its acquisition by Blackstone, Clarion intends to extend its global platform even further, both through organic growth and integration of acquisitions into its widening portfolio.

Russell Wilcox, CEO of Clarion, said: “Thank you to Phil, Sheldon, Philippa and the team at Joelson for their outstanding work advising the management on this deal.

“This is the third time we have worked with the Joelson team on a buy-out of Clarion and once again they have been fantastic in negotiating a great deal for the team.”