Phoenix Equity Partners (‘Phoenix’), a leading UK mid-market private equity firm, today announces an investment in Nineteen Group, the fast-growing trade exhibitions business. Phoenix is investing alongside founder and chief executive Peter Jones, providing funding to drive Nineteen Group’s expansion plans.

Nineteen Group organises the International Security Expo, a leading event for the global homeland and commercial security industry. The company also organises the International Disaster Response Expo, a showcase for the specialist global emergency response sector. The two events together attract over 350 exhibitors and 12,500 international decision-makers from government and the private sector.

The investment from Phoenix will allow Nineteen Group to grow significantly, providing funding to further expand existing exhibitions, launch new exhibitions and make strategic acquisitions. Simultaneous with Phoenix’s investment in Nineteen, the first such acquisition, Western Business Exhibitions (‘Western’), has been completed. Western is an exhibitions and publishing business focused on security, health and safety, fire and facilities management. As part of this acquisition, Nineteen Group will take ownership of The Security Event, a new exhibition taking place at the NEC Birmingham in April 2019, expanding Nineteen Group’s coverage of the sector in the UK.

Kevin Keck, Partner at Phoenix, said: “The trade exhibitions market is highly attractive, and we have spent a lot of time searching for the right opportunity to invest in the sector again. We are delighted to be backing the outstanding team at Nineteen Group. Peter has a strong track record in the sector and the company’s current exhibitions provide an excellent platform for future growth.”

Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group, commented: “I’m really proud of the business we have built at Nineteen; we deliver high quality events with people at their heart. I’m excited to bring Western Business Exhibitions and their fantastic portfolio into the Nineteen Group. Phoenix’s investment and experience will enable us to seize more opportunities like this in the future and to fulfil our ambitious plans for growth.”