CHAMBERSTravel is looking at further acquisition opportunities following its purchase of Abercrombie and Kent’s business travel operations earlier this month.
The City-based agency said it had acquired the Croydon-based operation because it wanted to build up its regional network.
Managing director and co-owner Nick Foot said: “We have some ambitious growth plans, both organically and through acquisitions. There is a lot of consolidation in the marketplace and we want to become a key player.
“The purchase of Abercrombie and Kent’s operationwas the first public exposure of our intentions to be a serious player.
“Small is not beautiful anymore. Medium and large is better, especially with the downward pressures of commission cuts and the upward pressures of client expectations.”
He expects the company’s turnover to increase from ú10m in 1998 to ú15m this year.
Chambers, which also has offices in Cambridge, plans to turn the Croydon operation into a call centre for both its UKand European clients.
“This will happen in due course. It will be in months rather than years,” said Foot.
Chambers has inherited nine reservations staff based in Croydon and four ticketing and back office staff who will transfer from Abercrombie and Kent’s head office in Sloane Square to Chambers’ offices in Gresham Street.
Chambers bought the business because Abercrombie and Kent had a similar client base of medium-sized City-based insurance, banking and financial institutions. He plans to grow this business and win new accounts in the Croydon area. “It is a market that has not been exploited,” he said.