Clarion Events acquires Design Shanghai from Media 10

London, May 2019 - Clarion Events has acquired Asia’s leading design sector events Design Shanghai and Design China Beijing from Media 10.

Headquartered in Shanghai and launched by Media 10 just 5 years ago, Design Shanghai is widely regarded as Asia’s premier international design event and one of the most prestigious design events worldwide.  China’s design market, the world’s biggest, is growing rapidly and the acquisition aims to accelerate development of the events by combining the market knowledge and relationships of the Design Shanghai and Beijing teams, with Clarion’s 70 years of experience cultivating world class events.

Clarion’s growing presence and investment in the region will support expansion of the events, to the benefit of both business clients and the wider design industry in the region. Clarion’s highly complementary portfolio includes leading design, fashion, furniture and interiors events.

“We have been following the success of Design Shanghai with great interest since its inception in 2014 and we are extremely excited about our new partnership. The global design sector is highly dynamic and China is one of the world’s biggest markets. We’ve been impressed with the management team’s ambition and approach and see a great future for the design events in the region going forward.” said Neil Gaisford, Clarion Events’ Managing Director (Retail & Home Division)

Media 10 will continue to own and operate its other market-leading events in China, while seeking other opportunities to grow on its success in the region and beyond.

Lee Newton, Media 10 Founder and CEO said, “I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved in only 5 years since we launched Design Shanghai.  We have accomplished something that very few event organisers have been able to in China; to independently launch and successfully scale a world-class exhibition. The team have worked tirelessly to create two truly outstanding events and I believe that Clarion are the perfect partner to build on this success and write the next chapter of this story.  This transaction also leaves Media 10 in a great position to explore new investment and acquisition opportunities both in China and across other parts of the world”. 

Design Shanghai and Beijing will continue to be headed by Event Director Zhuo Tan, who has stated that she is looking forward to growing the events through Clarion’s expertise in the design sector, track record of global expansion and its ethos of cultivating a strong international presence in its key markets.

 “Clarion shares our passion for design and is the ideal company to solidify our rapid growth and push forward with our plans for the future development of our events in China.  Having been part of the Media 10 team that launched Design Shanghai, we have built a fantastic team that is ready for the next stage in our journey.  The experience, resource and commitment from Clarion will undoubtably be of great value,” Said Zhou Tan in a statement.

Media 10 was advised by JEGI Clarity and Keystone Law.  Clarion was advised by RSM Corporate Finance and Joelsons.