Docklands arms fair could be bought by baby show organisers

By Lucy Walters on February 27, 2008 2:03 PM |

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BABY show organisers Clarion Events could soon be mixing bonnets with battleships.

The company, recently acquired by a private equity firm for £125million, is tipped to be among the potential bidders for the DSEi arms fair in Docklands, which has been on the market for around eight months.

Clarion’s portfolio of 65 events and conferences includes the parenting show, which will be arriving at the Royal Docks exhibition centre tomorrow (Friday, February 29).

Current arms fair organiser Reed Elsevier had pledged to offload the controversial exhibition by the end of last year, following pressure from pacifist organisations and healthcare groups.

But the sale was not completed by the deadline, and chief executive Crispin Davis denied “giving any timing” in a press briefing last week.

Following Clarion’s sale to private equity firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson, The Times claims CEO Simon Kimble is keen to snap up Reed Elsevier’s portfolio of defence shows.

Speaking after last week’s sale announcement, Mr Kimble said: “There are numerous opportunities both within the UK and throughout Europe to expand existing Clarion franchises and acquire additional exhibitions, events and conferences.”

The DSEi arms fair has been the subject of fierce protests since it arrived in Docklands in 2001.
The exhibition, which is held every two years at ExCeL London, has come under fire for offering invitations to countries with poor human rights records.

Delegates from 49 countries attended the fair in September. Angry protesters also staked out the four-day event, and 34 people were arrested by police.

Reed Elsevier has continued to shake up its portfolio in recent weeks. It announced it was buying American risk management firm ChoicePoint last week, but simultaneously revealed plans to sell off its Business Information division, which is home to magazines including Variety.

A spokesman for the company confirmed it was “very much committed” to selling the fair.
He said: “Negotiations are continuing and the sale process is ongoing. There’s no change in that situation.”

Story written by John Hill
john.hill@wharf.co.uk