Specialised Exhibitions rebrands as Montgomery Group Africa, signaling new era of growth

SOUTH AFRICA – Specialised Exhibitions, one of Africa’s longest-standing exhibition organizers, has rebranded as Montgomery Group Africa, marking a strategic consolidation of the Montgomery Group’s operations across the continent.

The move, effective September 1, 2025, is designed to streamline structures, enhance regional collaboration, and unlock long-term growth opportunities.

Gary Corin, who continues as managing director under the new identity, said the change goes beyond a cosmetic update.

“This transition is more than a name change, it’s a reflection of where we’re headed. By bringing our teams together under one identity, we’re building the clarity, strength, and agility needed to grow with purpose across all regions,” Corin noted.

The rebrand unifies the Group’s African events under one management structure, enabling faster decision-making, improved resource allocation, and stronger support for regional teams. According to Corin, the new structure will also foster innovation and consistency across markets.

Montgomery Group, celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, is the UK’s longest-running independent events organizer.

A fifth-generation family-owned business, its portfolio spans more than 50 exhibitions across 15 countries.

The Group has a deep history in Africa, dating back to 1968 when it first launched Specialised Exhibitions in South Africa.

Since then, operations have expanded into Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Libya, and Zimbabwe.

Damion Angus, Group Managing Director and Chairman of Montgomery Group, said the transition aligns with the company’s growth ambitions on the continent.

“Bringing the full African events portfolio under Montgomery Group Africa supports the vision of an ambitious new phase of growth. We have strong, experienced teams in every region who are energized by the opportunities this consolidation unlocks,” he said.

The Group’s flagship events include Propak Africa, Propak Cape, Propak West Africa, and Propak East Africa, which are leading platforms for packaging, plastics, print, food processing, and labelling industries.

Security and safety exhibitions also form a key part of the portfolio, with Securexpo East Africa, Securex Expo, A-OSH Expo, Facilities Management Expo, and Fire Expo hosted annually in Johannesburg.

For the first time, Fire Expo will debut in Cape Town in October 2025.

Leadership has also been aligned under the new structure: Corin now oversees both South African and West African events, while Angela Kinyua continues to lead East Africa.

Local marketing teams will spearhead rollout of the new brand identity, ensuring consistency across regions.

Despite the rebrand, daily operations remain unchanged. Existing legal entities, invoicing, and banking details will continue as before.

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