Collingwood is delighted to announce that it has acted as the exclusive corporate finance adviser to Halldale Group, a leading global media and events business serving the aviation training and safety sector, on its sale to Montgomery Group.
Founded in 1992 by Andy Smith, Halldale has established itself as the critical connector for the global aviation safety sector. Through its flagship summits — WATS (US), EATS (Europe), and APATS (Asia) — and its industry-leading publications CAT and MS&T, Halldale supports a deep-rooted community of airline heads of training, pilots, cabin crew, and regulators.
Collingwood’s role focused on articulating the unique value of Halldale’s business model — moving beyond a traditional events narrative to highlight its status as a community-led, global ecosystem.
Montgomery, a global events business with a legacy dating back to 1895, was the ideal partner for Halldale. A business on its own ambitious growth journey, Montgomery will support Halladale and enhance its offering through international reach and operational resources, unlocking future success across Halldale’s portfolio while respecting the community-first culture.
Connor Agnew, UK Managing Director for Collingwood Corporate Finance, commented: “This deal provides an exceptional outcome for all parties and a significant milestone for Montgomery Group as they embark on their ambitious growth journey. For Andy, Chrissy and Halldale, this partnership recognises the legacy they have built in creating a genuinely community-led, global events business, focused on aviation training and safety sector. We look forward to their continued success together.”
The investment marks a significant strategic step for Montgomery Group, expanding its footprint into the high-growth aviation sector. Halldale will continue to operate under its existing brand, with the senior leadership team remaining in place to drive the next phase of growth across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Legal counsel for Halldale was provided by Bird & Bird.
For enquiries contact rosalind.hill@collingwood.group
Feedback for Collingwood
Deals are never without their challenges. Having Collingwood lead every aspect of the process gave us confidence and certainty at all stages. Their approach to negotiations was tough but fair: they were firm and protected our interests when it mattered most, while also providing clear, objective advice throughout.
We always understood where we were in the process, the options available to us, and the best path forward. Even in the most challenging moments, they remained cool under pressure and guided us to a great outcome.”
