Informa (LSE: INF.L), the international B2B Markets, Knowledge Services and Business Intelligence Group today announced two significant steps in its 2021-2024 Growth Acceleration Plan II (“GAP II”). The Group has agreed to divest Pharma Intelligence, the largest business within its Informa Intelligence
division, to Warburg Pincus for £1.9bn, while separately commencing a share buyback.
Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC, said:
”Like GAP I, our GAP II programme is ambitious for growth, value creation and shareholder returns. Since announcing the intention to divest our Informa Intelligence portfolio, we have received significant interest in its high-performing brand portfolio, leading to today’s binding agreement for Pharma Intelligence, which reflects the quality and value created in this business, as well as its significant future potential.”
He added: “Our capital allocation discipline, combined with the pace and scale of today’s agreement, allows us to commence our share buyback programme with immediate effect. It also enables us to strengthen the balance sheet, generate funds for further growth investment in our two leadership businesses and retain a minority position in Pharma Intelligence to benefit from its future growth.”