F&E gets new chief as it expands portfolio

Exhibition and conference organiser Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) has appointed Clive Richardson as CEO for the UK- and Dubai-based company.

The move comes as F&E, which has been operating in the region for more than 30 years, looks to expand its events portfolio with the addition of three new shows to the five it is currently running for the aerospace, education and packaging, and printing industries.

And the appointment of Richardson, who has 25 years of B2B media experience in both publishing and events, marks his return to F&E, where he previously held the role of CEO for the Aerospace Division from 2000 to 2005.

"Fairs & Exhibitions, and its subsidiary F&E Aerospace, have undergone significant growth over the past couple of years with the addition of new events and the expansion of existing ones. It was a logical progression that we look at bringing in someone who has both in-depth international market experience and a deep understanding of F&E's core values," said Virginia Kern, chairman, F&E – which recently became a member of the Tarsus Group plc.

"We believe that Clive fully meets all these requirements and is the definitive choice to drive forward the company's continued growth for the foreseeable future."

In his new role, Richardson will focus on the strategic development of the company's established and growing portfolio of events as well as corporate management and direction.

In addition, he will conduct the building of F&E contacts in key new business areas internationally and strengthen the company's existing relations with currently aligned organisations.

Richardson's role will encompass a wider variety of industry sectors as the company's current events include GESS – the region's premier educational, supplies and solutions event happening alongside the Global Education Forum – and Gulf Pack & Gulf Print – the region's leading tradeshows for the print, publishing and packaging sectors.

In addition, F&E Aerospace's portfolio of events includes: the Dubai Airshow – now the third-largest aerospace event in the world; Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA); Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME); Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Middle East; and Aerospace & Defence Training Show (ADTS). The company expects its five-strong aerospace events portfolio to attract more than 1,500 aviation companies and 60,000 trade professionals to the UAE in the next 18 months.