Publishing and events company, Media 10 snaps up the famous show 100 years after its launch.
The Ideal Home Show has changed hands for the first time in 100 years. Previously owned by dmg world media, the show has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by Media 10 - best known for its Grand Designs Live events.

The company, which was formed just six years ago, will be responsible for staging the Ideal Home Show, which attracts more than 250,000 visitors every year, at Earls Court next March. The latest acquisition means that Media 10 now has he largest home interest event portfolio in the UK.

The show made its debut as the Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia in 1908 and was opened by the Mayor of London. It took more than 3,000 men, one week to build the first exhibition and was held at a time when only 10% of the population owned their own homes.

dmg world media chief operating officer Michael Franks said: "We are delighted that this prestigious event has been acquired by Media 10. They are the events company that have made the most impact in recent years; and have the dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm to ensure the event continues to flourish for the next 100 years. I look forward to seeing the Ideal Home Show pick up as many awards as Grand Designs Live has in the previous five."

Media 10 managing director Lee Newton said of the acquisition: "We are looking forward to putting out own brand expertise and creativity to the Ideal Home Show...We see this acquisition as being perfectly timed; at a time when consumers confidence appears to be increasing and with interest rates at an all time low. In my opinion, the clever money is being used to buy property at this moment."

He added: "In the Ideal Home Show we are buying more than an event, we are buying a brand - and one that comes with a history. This brand has lived through six major recessions since its launch in1908 and rather than just survive each time it has come out the other side stronger."