International law firm Clifford Chance has advised long-standing client Informa, the international B2B Markets, Knowledge Services and Business Intelligence Group, on the divestment of Pharma Intelligence, its largest business within the Informa Intelligence division to Warburg Pincus for £1.9bn,and on the share buyback programme announced in conjunction with the disposal.

This transaction will play a key part in Informa’s 2021-2024 Growth Acceleration Plan II, and provide funds to accelerate investment and expansion in two priority areas: Academic Markets & Knowledge Services (Taylor & Francis) and B2B Markets & Digital Services (Informa Markets, Informa Connect, Informa Tech). The proceeds of sale are also intended to be deployed as part of Informa’s stated intention of returning £1bn of embedded value to shareholders through the combination of a share buyback programme and a special dividend.

This transaction was led by Corporate Partner Steven Fox who commented: “We are delighted to have been entrusted by Informa to advise on this significant strategic transaction on which we once again mobilised colleagues from across our practice areas and offices from Australasia, to the US and Europe as we have similarly done on Informa’s most significant corporate and strategic matters over the last decade. Together with Informa’s Strategy and Business Planning and Legal teams, we helped deliver a transaction of exceptional multiples on a very tight schedule that has been very well received by investors.”

Senior Associates Erik O’Connor and Olivia Higgs assisted on this transaction, alongside Thomas Cowie, Chinwe Odimba-Chapman, Laura Conway, Sanne Blankestijn, Andre Duminy, Sally Murphy, Ona Odili, Nick Mace, Nicola Hemsley, Stephen Reese, Uche Eseonu, Sonia Gilbert, Lauren Evans, Nelson Jung, Mike Rueter and Chloe Barclay. Ben Sibbett, Christine Kim and Rachel Park from our New York office and Reuben Van Werkum and Sarah Jenkins from our Sydney office also assisted on this transaction.