The business travel empire of Ickenham Travel Group is expanding with the takeover of Amity World Travel by subsidiary Business Travel Direct.
The combined business claims a turnover of £85 million with other acquisition targets in the pipeline.
Ickenham Travel Group chief executive, Peter Reglar, confirmed that the company was looking to make further deals over the next 18 months as well as continuing investment into business travel.
The Amity World Travel Management name is being retained together with all staff based at its offices in Fareham.
This will complement Business Travel Direct’s offices in Uxbridge and Oxford and its specialist Marine Travel division based in London.
Amity World Travel Management directors, Paul Gardner and Adrian Williams will take up senior roles with the Ickenham Travel Group while retaining day to day responsibility for Amity Travel’s operations.
Both businesses have been established for more than 40 years.
Williams said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with the Ickenham Travel Group.
“Both our organisations come from similar family owned backgrounds, share the same vision and values and our management teams have worked in co-operation for many years.
“For our clients and staff it will be business as usual, however we now have the opportunity to leverage our combined operation to bring additional service enhancements in the coming months.”
Business Travel Direct managing director, Julie Oliver, added: “Amity World Travel is a well respected company that will be a great addition to the Ickenham Travel Group.
“We have known the team at Amity Travel for many years through our membership of Advantage and Focus and believe that our shared company values a service driven culture make for a strong positive future.”??