Collingwood advises on sale of GFC Media Group to Horizon Capital LLP

Collingwood Corporate Finance advised the shareholders of GFC Media Group, an events business focussing on the finance and investment industry, on its sale to Horizon Capital LLP.

GFC Media Group is a leading finance and investment events and conferences business, focused on serving a blue-chip client base of corporates, investors and finance professionals within high-growth markets.

GFC provides strong value to >8,000 attendees across its five leading events, helping clients achieve ROI through maintaining market positioning and presence, networking and meeting customers, and remaining informed on market developments. The market that GFC operates in is highly fragmented and driven by strong tailwinds with key market participants having a strong, ongoing need to attend.

GFC has delivered impressive organic growth, underpinned by its reputation for high quality conferences, access to senior decision makers in global financial institutions, curated 1-2-1 meetings with sector leading NPS and high retention. The partnership with Horizon will enable GFC to continue to build on its strong momentum and supplement further organic growth with acquisitions.

 “This is an exciting time for GFC, our clients and colleagues. We are delighted to be partnering with Horizon Capital who have a strong track record in supporting companies such as ours to accelerate both organic and acquisitive growth.” Alex Johnson, CEO of GFC, commented. “What sets Collingwood apart is their knowledge of the events/media sector and their unrivalled network within the industry; which allowed us to build a compelling M&A strategy to complement our strong organic growth, and run a competitive multi-party process ultimately connecting us with a fantastic partner to continue along our growth journey”

Horizon Capital is a private equity investor specialising in technology and business services. The firm was established by senior investment professionals who identified a significant market opportunity to invest in businesses in these sectors valued up to £100m.

Adam Lewis, Partner at Horizon Capital, added: “We are excited to invest in GFC and support the next phase of their journey. As a leading player within its existing events with an impressive track record, we look forward to working with Alex and his team to continue on their growth trajectory and further expand with an exciting acquisition strategy.”

This transaction underlines Collingwood’s mission to support founders of independent media businesses to create and maximise business value, and to find the right home for their companies when they exit. 

“Congratulations to Alex and team for building the market-leading conference and curated meetings events model in the capital market space. Having worked with many event businesses, we have no doubt of the scale of opportunity for both tremendous organic and inorganic growth but also the team’s ability to fulfil this potential,” said Daniel Schwarz, Director of Corporate Finance.

About Collingwood Corporate Finance

Whether you are striving for an exit or capital event, we have the specialist expertise to ensure you find the right buyer or investor for you, and your business. 

We help you turn a good deal into a great one. We know your buyers and their M&A strategies, and they know and trust us as the specialists who partner with market-leading, innovative companies. 

Our team has an extensive track record of successful transactions. Our international network and deep sector knowledge ensure the right balance of strategic fit, competitive equity value, and optimal deal structure.

We’ve built and sold our own companies. We treat our clients’ businesses like our own.

Jessica Bradley

Marketing Manager

Collingwood

jessica.bradley@collingwood.group