Emap Communications, the B2B division of UK media group Emap, announced today that it has acquired Trades Exhibitions Limited (TEL) for £19m. The acquisition includes £3m of cash from within the company. 

Previously owned by the Moloney family, TEL operates six beauty exhibitions in the UK and publishes five trade magazines for the health and beauty sector, through its Professional Beauty brand. The company's flagship Professional Beauty exhibition is to be held in February at London's ExCel centre, and will be the industry's largest ever UK event, with over 450 exhibitors. 

Derek Carter, chief executive of Emap Communications, said the company was “delighted to be acquiring the Professional Beauty brand as it has a strong commercial fit with our existing brands in the retail and fashion sectors,” adding that the acquisition “is consistent with our focus on bolt-on acquisitions in the fast growing events space.” 

Latest interim results for the Emap group show flat revenues and pre-tax profits of £554m and £95m respectively.