DLA Piper has advised Excel London (Excel) on the acquisition of BDCG Holdings Company, the 100% owner of the Business Design Centre (BDC), a leading trade and exhibition venue located in London.
The acquisition of BDC reinforces Excel’s long-term commitment to one of London’s iconic exhibition venues and its investment into the UK’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
The BDC, originally the Royal Agricultural Hall, is a Grade II listed venue spread across a 4.5-acre freehold estate and plays host to a diverse range of events, awards, and product launches, as well as long-standing events like the London Art Fair, HIX, and the Surface Design Show. Attracting over 900,000 visitors a year, the BDC also provides over 12,500 square meters of high-quality leasable space for showrooms and offices.
Excel is a 100% owned subsidiary of ADNEC Group and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Modon Holding P.S.C.
The acquisition of BDC will see it become part of ADNEC’s multi-award-winning venue portfolio, marking it as the fourth venue under the Group’s umbrella, which includes ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, ADNEC Centre Al Ain and Excel London.
Excel now operates approximately 125,000 sqm of event space and this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. With the most recent expansion of 25,000 square metres, Excel has become the largest integrated conference and exhibitions venue in Europe.
A multi-practice team from DLA Piper’s London and Leeds offices worked on the transaction and was led by Corporate partner Ben Forgiel-Jenkins. He was supported by partners Paul Jayson (Real Estate), Laura Marcelli (Corporate), legal director Paul Routledge (Corporate), Associate Shayaan Rehman (Corporate) and Senior Associate Matt Ramsden (Real Estate).
