Luxury winter sports specialist Ski Solutions has secured a secondary management buyout securing £6 million investment from Mobeus Equity Partners.
Mobeus has taken an undisclosed majority stake in the London-based business, as part of the deal which has seen former Tui Travel chief John Wimbleton installed as chairman.
The investment will enable Ski Solutions to pursue further growth through acquisition after moving into the summer activities sector with deals for BSpoke Tours and Cycling for Softies.
Craig Burton [pictured], chief executive of Ski Solutions, said: “We have a fantastic team assembled and the right backing to further increase our market share in ski, and build the group out from our established cycle brands into the growing soft activities and adventure holiday market.”
Wimbleton added: “Ski Solutions has a unique business model being both a travel operator and travel agency business and is well positioned to capitalise on the interesting market dynamics in the travel sector at the moment.
“To continue their exciting growth story, Craig and his team are actively looking for complementary travel businesses that share their best in class client service and bespoke approach to luxury activity holidays.”
The Mobeus investment it its fifth deal following its debut institutional fund and brings the sum invested to over £40 million in just over a year.
Ski Solutions, which has achieved in excess of 20% annual growth over the last three years aims to further scale its winter programme and bring its expert advice and concierge client service to the summer activities market.
The firm describes itself as the original winter sports travel agency having been founded in 1986 as the first independent travel agent dedicated to the specialist needs of skiers.
It has over 30 years’ experience of working with leading hotels, chalets and resort partners in Europe and North America,
In 2010 Burton led an initial MBO and rapidly expanded into the high growth tailor-made segment.
Prior to the Mobeus deal Ski Solutions was owned by private equity firm Stone Ventures which established Pebble Travel, an investment firm targeting small and medium sized businesses of which Burton was a member of the advisory board.
Mobeus partner Ashley Broomberg led the Ski Solutions deal, supported by Danielle Garland.
Ashley said: “We see this as an exciting platform investment enabling us to bring the Ski Solutions luxury experience, including expert advice and excellence in client service, to a much broader range of activity holidays.
“The company caters to a very attractive demographic of affluent customers who are increasingly looking for active holidays, with comfort which are tailor-made to their requirements.”
Ski Solutions shareholders were advised on the deal by Livingstone Partners.