Charterhouse Capital Partners completes sale of Comexposium to Credit Agricole Assurances

March 28, 2019

Charterhouse Capital Partners (“Charterhouse”) today announces that the Charterhouse Capital Partners IX fund has completed the sale of Comexposium to Credit Agricole Assurances.

Comexposium has become the number one pure-play exhibitions operator worldwide, owning, organising and managing a portfolio of approximately 135 leading exhibitions, across 30 countries and 11 industries, with over 46,000 exhibitors annually.

Charterhouse invested in Comexposium in a primary transaction in July 2015, partnering with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris Ile-de-France (CCIR), to help grow and internationalise the company. Over the last three and a half years under Charterhouse ownership, Comexposium has grown annualised revenue to €360 million and increased annualised EBITDA at a CAGR of 15%. This growth was driven by a number of initiatives which have internationalised, professionalised and enlarged the group. These included the completion and integration of 16 add-on acquisitions at accretive multiples and the launch of 14 new shows.

Comexposium has expanded into eight new countries and increased its exposure to high-growth Asian markets three-fold. Additionally, operational initiatives were implemented to improve pricing, re-booking rates, margins and cash management. These efforts have transformed the business into a leading international M&A platform.

Charterhouse are delighted to have contributed to the ongoing success of Comexposium and wish the best of luck to the team in the next stage of their journey.