Expanding Informa aims for growth by 'geo-cloning'

Geo-cloning - repeating a successful business model in new countries - is the new buzzword at Informa, the business information and trade exhibitions group behind Lloyd's List and Datamonitor.

Chief executive Peter Rigby today said key ambitions were "geo-cloning our leading events" and expanding in emerging markets, particularly the Far East and Latin America.

Rigby insisted Informa is "in a strong place to deliver organic growth" despite a flat trading performance last year.

Operating profits nudged up just 1.2% to £313.2 million, with revenues almost unmoved at £1.23 billion.

Academic information and journals performed well as the education market proved resilient.

The professional and commercial division saw profits dip. But subscriptions have picked up since the second half of last year and three-quarters of revenues are now digital.

Shares fell 18p to 431p. Informa hiked the dividend 22% to 14p.