Elsevier divests

For those in the fields of the social, medical and physical sciences, here is some good news:

Reed Elsevier announced today that it is to exit the defence exhibitions sector.

Sir Crispin Davis, Chief Executive Officer of Reed Elsevier, said:

“Our defence shows are quality businesses which have performed well in recent years. Nonetheless, it has become increasingly clear that growing numbers of important customers and authors have very real concerns about our involvement in the defence exhibitions business. 

“We have listened closely to these concerns and this has led us to conclude that the defence shows are no longer compatible with Reed Elsevier’s position as a leading publisher of scientific, medical, legal and business content.” 

I wonder now if those who boycotted the IEHG will want to come back? They’d certainly be welcome to contribute from my perspective, since the issue was never one of disagreement over the arms fair, but rather the way to address it.