Nineteen Group makes two acquisitions in a week

September 30, 2022

This week, Phoenix investee company, Nineteen Group, the leading trade exhibitions business, announced the acquisition of Lyrical Communications and The Drives & Controls Show. These acquisitions are the fourth and fifth since Phoenix’s initial investment in Nineteen.

Lyrical Communications

Lyrical Communications is the UK’s exhibition and digital media brand serving installers and decision makers working within the areas of heat, water, air and energy. Lyrical has been the voice of the industry since 2006 and has become the most respected platform within an industry that plays a vital role in sustainability, decarbonization and the journey to Net Zero. Three brands sit under the Lyrical banner – InstallerSHOW, Installer Digital and elemental.

Michael Costain will remain as MD and will run the business day to day with his existing team. Michael will also join the Nineteen Group Leadership team. The Installer founder, Eoin McManus, will remain in the business as a Non-Executive Director of Lyrical.

Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group said; “Lyrical is an exciting addition to the Nineteen family and fits with our strategy to acquire the fastest growing event brands in resilient markets. Alison Jackson and I have long been admirers of Eoin and Michael and are delighted to welcome them to our business along with the rest of their talented team.”

The Drives & Controls Show

Drives and Controls has been the voice of the industry since 1991 when it launched at The Motorcycle Museum. Ian Atkinson and Ryan Fuller acquired the event in 2004 and relocated the show to the NEC where it has become the market leading event within a growing industry driven by the adoption of automation and Industry 4.0.

Ian Atkinson and Ryan Fuller will retain the publishing assets of DFA Media Group and will work closely with Nineteen as lead media partner for the event. Haf Cennydd has joined Nineteen Group as Exhibition Director and will lead the integration of the exhibition. Haf has a strong track record in major scale business to business trade shows both in the UK and overseas and has led some of the world’s leading event brands.

Peter Jones said: “Drives and Controls is another exciting addition to the Nineteen family and fits with our strategy to create the leading platform for manufacturing events in the UK. The UK is the 9th largest manufacturer in the world and is facing a period of unprecedented change, which is always the major ingredient for trade show innovation.”