Our ‘Monetising B2B’ conference in London on 20 May is focused on transformation and change in business media, information and events for companies large and small, corporate executives and startup entrepreneurs.
The fact-packed and captivating day will begin with a fireside chat with Mark Kelsey, the CEO, of Lexis-Nexis Risk Solutions (‘Risk’), a landmark transformation.
Kelsey joined the former Reed Business Information (RBI) more than 40 years ago. The RELX parent company now has a market value of some £80bn. Its Risk division is the largest and fastest growing. Its £3.2bn of revenue in 2024 (exclusively from subscriptions and transactions) was 8% up on the year and 57% ahead of 2017. It accounts for 35% of RELX total revenue.
It does business with 92% of the Fortune 100; 84% of the Fortune 500; nine of the world’s top 10 banks and 21 of the world’s top 25 insurers. Its LexisNexis Digital Identity Network analyses more than 300mn transactions daily and more than 100bn transactions annually.
The world-class business is the product of a 13-year journey that began with the divestment or closure of more than 150 B2B magazines in the US and UK, followed by the £900mn acquisitions of the US-based Accuity payments data service and the ThreatMatrix digital identity network. But it all started with print. The huge business capitalised on the long-established directory Bankers Almanac. Similarly, ICIS (a PRA on chemicals and energy), Cirium (data for the world’s airlines) and Brightmine (for HR professionals) were catalysed by B2B magazines formerly published by RBI.
It’s the dramatic print-to-data transformation of a former publisher that has become a pacesetter in data and analytics, delivered 100% electronically – under the same CEO. A perfect case study.
What are the lessons learned and standout achievements? What were the setbacks or disappointments? How does Mark Kelsey see the future opportunities and challenges for B2B information services? What does AI mean to RELX? What’s next for his Risk division?
Another story of impressive transformation will be told by Charles Reed and Tracy De Groose. They are, respectively, chair and recently-appointed CEO of William Reed Group, the food and drink specialist that is one of the UK’s oldest B2B media companies.
The 163-year-old, £80mn-revenue, family-owned company is best known for its founding, flagship magazine, The Grocer. But, in the last decade, William Reed has diversified into international events and information services – and growing fast. Its £82mn revenue in 2024 was an increase of some 50% in five years, propelled by events (64% of the total) and digital (24%).
The once very UK company now has more than 400 worldwide employees, 160 brands and events, 3mn global readers and offices in three continents.
Its remaining print magazine, The Grocer (which, in 2018 had generated 11% of total revenue and was half that last year) is still soundly profitable. William Reed’s c50% of revenue from outside the UK has been boosted (among much else) by the stunning success of ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ awards, judged by more than 1,000 culinary experts worldwide. That is an inspiration in itself for B2B companies contemplating the progression of awards competitions and the data they can generate.
‘Monetising B2B’ will explore how William Reed did it.
How did the historic B2B publisher achieve the momentous shift from print magazines in the UK to, primarily, events and digital worldwide? How did it have to change? What were the successes and also setbacks along the way? What are the lessons of the past decade? What’s the future for The Grocer magazine? What comes next? What does De Groose (a former advertising agency leader) bring to William Reed and how might she change the strategy?
These two distinctive transformation stories – of RELX and of William Reed – are just a part of the ‘Monetising B2B’ program which features 23 industry leaders in interviews, fireside chats and panel discussions. Their achievements, challenges, thoughts and ideas will also be part of an exclusive eBook that delegates will receive in advance of the conference. This analysis will enhance engagement, discussion and followup. It will be a real learning experience.
B2B executives and entrepreneurs are advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Why not bring your top team? The capacity is just 200.
‘Monetising B2B’ takes place on Tuesday 20 May this year at the historic Stationers’ Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London EC4M 7DD, near St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s organised by Flashes & Flames: The Global Media Business Weekly.
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To book individual or corporate tickets, click this link.
