Barely a week into 2026, Nineteen Group has announced three acquisitions of U.S.-based conference and event organizers, as well as a leadership transition designed to support its next phase of growth. The UK-based organizer says it is not done yet, with another U.S. launch expected to be announced next week.
“We are growing, and our plan is to continue to grow,” said Mary Larkin, who joined Nineteen Group last January as president of the Americas. “We are actively out there launching, hiring, really building.”
One of the acquisitions, The Lead, brings a portfolio of executive forums focused on fashion, beauty, and consumer businesses.
Nineteen also acquired Reliabilityweb, a conference business serving engineering, maintenance, and asset performance professionals. In addition to its events, The Lead also offers professional training and certification programs.
The third acquisition, SubSummit, serves e-commerce, subscription, and retail professionals.
The three deals focus on year-round engagement models, including forums, education, and credentials, rather than reliance solely on cyclical trade shows.
“We want to grow the U.S. market, and the quickest way to do that is through acquisition,” said Larkin.
Leadership Team Restructured
Alongside the acquisitions, Nineteen Group has restructured its leadership team. Alison Jackson has been promoted to CEO, while founder Peter Jones moved into a broader role as Group CEO. Phil Soar remains chair, and a new executive board has been formed with Tristan Norman and Mike Costain named group managing directors.
Nineteen currently operates more than 20 international events spanning security, infrastructure, technology, and industrial markets. In December, it acquired PlantWorx, a UK-based construction equipment showcase, adding to a growing portfolio of industrial and infrastructure-focused assets.
Founded in 2002 by Jones, Nineteen initially built its business around trade shows across diverse industries, including security and food. Phoenix Equity Partners first invested in the company in 2017 and formally joined as a partner in 2018.
Since then, acquisitions have steadily expanded Nineteen’s footprint. In 2023, the group acquired Oliver Kinross, a B2B exhibition business running events in Sydney, New York, Chicago, and London. In 2024, Phoenix shifted its investment into a newly formed growth partnership fund, setting the stage for the current acceleration.
