The Firebird Partnership has partnered with trekking and hiking specialist EverTrek after it secured growth funding.
Firebird director Gordon Mathie, who worked with EverTrek to raise funds from sustainability-led investment manager Foresight Group, has joined the tour operator as non-executive chair and will be on hand to guide the business through a new period of growth.
EverTrek, founded by chief executive Andy Moore in 2016, is a direct-sell operator, but is considering working with travel agents in the future.
It specialises in the high altitude holiday market and offers fully supported tours to Everest Base Camp, Machu Pichu, Kilmanjaro, and others.
The company, which is known for its proactive approach to sustainable tourism, plans to use investment from Foresight for the funding of product and marketing development, key talent, cutting-edge IT and reservation systems to fuel new growth.
Mathie said: “I’m thrilled for the EverTrek team and its ‘head yeti’ Andy at the successful completion of the Foresight fundraise – the investors’ sustainable focus is a brilliant fit for the brand, and opens up a world of possibilities as we move forward.
“EverTrek has done an amazing job so far; climbing high in a challenging specialist market. I’m excited to be helping them expand their reach further still.”
Mathie, who joined Firebird last year and has more than 30 years’ experience in the travel and education sectors, launched a private equity-backed venture in 2012 and went on to acquire The Teach & Travel Group with its management in 2020. With Firebird’s help, he then sold T&TG in 2021 for a return of 16 times on its investment.
EverTrek founder and chief executive Andy Moore said: “EverTrek’s many successes to date have been down in no small part to the power of teamwork, and we’re thrilled to have Gordon on board as our newest member of the ‘yeti’ team.
“It’s great to be celebrating this new chapter with him, and we’re hugely grateful for his expert input. At EverTrek we’re always looking for ways to improve what we do for our awesome customers, our ‘EverTrekkers’, past, present and future.
“Gordon’s energy, approach and experience, coupled with Foresight’s sustainable, progress-driven achievements, are exactly what we need to keep EverTrek innovative, and at the peak of the adventure market. The only way is up and we’re excited for the next part of the journey.”
Foresight Group principal John Cordrey described EverTrek as an “exciting, high-growth, differentiated adventure brand with significant scope for expansion”.
He said: “We are very pleased to be supporting Andy and the EverTrek team who are driven, passionate and knowledgeable about the sector.”