Event group Caribiner plans design division

Publicly-quoted event and exhibitions group Caribiner has amalgamated its London operations to form a 200-strong European division, and plans to establish a separate design offer.

“We are looking to expand design and set up a separate design studio,” says Caribiner marketing manager Sarah Pilch, who could give no details on how big the offer would be or when it would be established.

Caribiner in London is the amalgamation of its latest acquisition, WCT Live, which it bought in June, with MWA and Spectrum – all communications specialists. Part of Spectrum will continue to exist as a separate company.

Chief executive (Europe) Lois Jacobs joined in November from Caribiner competitor HP:ICM where she held the same title. “In our kind of business, size gives essential security and back up, but the real edge offered by our new company is the breadth of resource which we can offer,” she says.

The US-owned group will operate out of Victoria and Acton offices, with the 35-strong creative production arm based in Acton, headed up by Mike Harper. It also has a team of ten working in digital media.

The group handled the Hong Kong handover ceremony last June and will manage the G8 Summit in May.