M&As
ConfectioneryNews publisher William Reed acquires events organiser Rethink
The addition of Rethink – best known for its World Agri-Tech and Future Food-Tech events held annually in San Francisco, London, Sao Paulo and Singapore – to the William Reed business will result will provide a ‘springboard for growth’ for the company to cover the ‘rapidly evolving agri-food and drink value chain from field to fork’ it said.
“Together, we become the world’s leading food and drink multimedia, digital, events and data group,” a spokesperson for William Reed added.
Rethink was established by Jennie Moss in 2011 and has grown rapidly to include eight event brands. Moss will continue to run the Brighton-based business and join William Reed along with Rethink’s 40 employees.
“Rethink events are already highly successful in the US, Asia and Europe, and being part of the William Reed Group presents significant growth opportunities elsewhere in the world,” said Charles Reed, chief executive of William Reed.
“That growth will drive value for our customers whether they be a sponsor or delegate but also for all our colleagues in the combined business. Both our businesses have always been about building communities and serving them with content and solutions. Now as the clear market leader we can do that across the supply chain in whatever media is most relevant to our customers, whether that be a digital platform, large scale summit, trade show or premium insight,” he added.
Reed and Moss said they saw the move “more as a merger than an acquisition”.
Moss, who is also the managing director of Rethink, said: “We’re excited at this new chapter for Rethink, and how joining forces with the William Reed Group will amplify our presence and impact in the agri-food industry around the world.
“With food security firmly at the top of the global agenda, there is a huge need for market intelligence and B2B networking in this sector, and together we support the entire value chain, from sustainable farming, through to innovation in nutrition and health, to retail and culinary excellence.”
