OREANDA-NEWS. Time Inc. (UK) Ltd. announces today that it has acquired International Craft & Hobby Fair Limited (ICHF), an events business specialising in trade and consumer events in the crafts arena.

Established in 1976, ICHF Events is the UK market leader in the sector, running a programme of 24 consumer and trade crafting shows held at major UK exhibition centres. The acquisition builds on the strong relationship between the two companies, solidified in 2012 through the joint launch of Woman’s Weekly Live at Event City in Manchester.

Time Inc.UK CEO Marcus Rich says: “Crafting is a key content pillar at Time Inc.UK and the acquisition of ICHF is pivotal in achieving our ambitions in this market. This is an excellent example of our growth strategy in action and an attractive use of Time Inc. capital.”

Fiona Dent, recently promoted to group managing director, lifestyle, at Time Inc.UK, adds: “We reach 7.5 million crafters across our women’s brands and this move establishes Time Inc.UK as the country’s market leader in consumer and trade craft events. We know from experience that ICHF is a fantastic business, and we look forward to working with the team to develop exciting new opportunities.”

Simon Burns and Troy Bennett, joint managing directors of ICHF Events, will continue to run the business, working closely with Sandy Gale, publishing director at Time Inc.UK.

Simon Burns says: “We are really excited about the acquisition of ICHF by Time Inc.UK. With so many symmetries in both ethos and outlook, we feel that the fit is perfect.

“We have worked with Sandy and her team on Woman’s Weekly Live for a number of years and we look forward to being part of Time Inc. and heading up another successful 40 years.”

As part of Time Inc., which became an independent US public company in 2014, Time Inc.UK has invested expanding its brands, content and audiences into new revenue streams, through a combination of both organic investments and acquisitions. During 2015, Time Inc.UK has acquired UK Cycling Events (UKCE), the leading UK provider of premium cycling events; invested in Snap Fashion, a visual search business specialising in fashion; announced a joint venture between Marie Claire and Speciality Stores, part of Ocado, to launch a beauty and well-being business; and through Horse & Hound, developed Equo, an online equestrian events entry system.