LONDON — Since taking the reins at Arc in May 2021, Simon Foster has been on a mission to create a next-generation events and media business. As the former CEO of Comexposium, and having previously spent years as CEO of UBM EMEA and UBM Americas, he has now led the EagleTree Capital-backed B2B platform’s acquisition of Incisive Media’s financial services and sustainability brands. These include Professional Pensions and its sister brands: Investment Week, Professional Adviser, Cover, International Investment, Financial Services Forum and BusinessGreen.
“This is a critical step in Arc’s evolution,” Foster said. “We are thrilled to welcome Jonathon Whiteley, CEO of Incisive Media, and the financial services and sustainability teams to Arc, and look forward to growing these portfolios. We also look forward to continuing to build the Arc platform through this acquisition, adding additional resources and channels through which we can grow our network.”
Last year, Arc acquired Farmers Guardian Ltd. and LAMMA Ltd., the UK agricultural division of AgriBriefing, making its Agriconnect business one of the UK’s largest agricultural news and events platforms. It then added five rural sector events, including Fortem International’s Farm Business Innovation and Holiday Park and Resort Innovation, further expanding its reach into the UK agricultural sector.
Incisive Media was founded in 1995 and focuses on the financial services, enterprise technology and corporate sustainability markets. The Channel Company, a leading B2B marketing company focused on IT channels, will acquire Incisive’s technology portfolio — a movement that will bring together CRN and CRN UK, and which also includes the Computing and Channel Partner Insight brands.
Foster is chairman of the International Group of the Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO) and has served on the board of directors of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO).
Contact Simon Foster on [email protected]
LINKS
M&A expert David Loechner explains what buyers are looking for
Arc Consortium and EagleTree Capital Form Partnership
Longtime trade show executive David Loechner joins investment bank