Business travel specialist Gray Dawes Group today confirmed a double acquisition as it establishes a presence in Manchester.
The company’s seventh and eighth deals in four years cover the corporate and marine divisions of INC Travel Group and the purchase of VIP Leisure Travel, which covers the incentive and luxury holidays sectors, for an undisclosed sum.
The take overs follows Gray Dawes buying Giles Travel in November and gives the growing TMC a central Manchester base in addition to offices in London, Amersham, Cambridge, Colchester and Leamington Spa.
Chief executive Suzanne Horner said: “It has long been an ambition of mine to re- establish a Gray Dawes presence in the north-west and the opportunity to acquire the INC Travel corporate and marine business was just too good to miss.”
Outgoing chief executive at INC Travel CEO Bill Tannahill, who will retain the Fairway International sports business that was previously part of INC Travel, said: “I am in no doubt that this acquisition is in the very best interests of INC Travel’s staff and corporate and marine clients alike.
“INC Travel has been on an exciting journey these past few years and bringing in the infectious drive and ambition of Suzanne and the whole team at Gray Dawes will further enhance the range of services available to our loyal clients”.
VIP Leisure Travel managing director Peter Squires, who has joined Gray Dawes, said: “My colleagues and I are delighted to have joined Gray Dawes and I’m looking forward to sharing expertise and best practice to really drive forward the incentive travel and luxury holiday offering in 2019 and well beyond.”
Horner added: “Bill and the whole team at INC Travel Group have done a superb job at establishing a reputation for excellence and building their business over a relatively short period of time.
“As with all the acquisitions we have chosen to make, there are huge synergies between our corporate cultures and passion for service. I’m truly excited to be working with the team at our new Manchester office.
“The VIP Leisure business complements well with Gray Dawes’ own corporate events and leisure offering and Peter and his team are bringing some unique knowledge and skills to our existing business.”
