UK-Based T&F Informa has purchased ESI International's parent company, IIR

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Wednesday, 06 July 2005

ESI's parent company, IIR, has been sold to T&F Informa (TFI), the leading international provider of specialist information for the academic, professional and business communities.

The owner of IIR, Lord Irvine Laidlaw, decided to sell his stake in the company to devote more time to his commitments in the House of Lords and his extensive charitable work. The process of securing a buyer was conducted over six months and has now been successfully completed with the selection of TFI from a group of several potential purchasers.

"ESI is very pleased to become part of T&F Informa," says John Elsey, President of ESI. "Our business is highly complementary with TFI and this merger will undoubtedly allow us the support and additional resources needed to continue to grow our business and to even more effectively service our many clients and customers around the world."

The acquisition of IIR should add significantly to TFI's events business, provide immediate critical mass in the customised performance improvement market, substantially expand TFI's existing North American presence and further expand its geographical reach into emerging economies.

Commenting on the acquisition, Peter Rigby, T&F Informa's Chief Executive, said: "We expect the acquisition of IIR to significantly enhance earnings. We are acquiring a complementary business, which is well established in growing market sectors and which is highly cash generative. I look forward to welcoming the employees of IIR into the newly enlarged T&F Informa Group."

ESI International is the leading provider of project management training. Since 1981, ESI has been helping Fortune Global 500 companies build talent and drive results. ESI's services include public classroom training in more than 65 cities worldwide, on-site training, e-training and consulting. With ESI's flexible approach to training, clients can create a unique, customised solution for their specific needs. To date, the ESI Professional Development Programs have benefited 750,000 professionals from 100 countries.