Gray Dawes Group has acquired Leeds and Edinburgh-based travel management company Ventur Travel.
The acquisition of the firm formerly known as Traveleads for an undisclosed sum takes family-owned Gray Dawes Group’s turnover to more than £250 million and increases staff levels beyond 200.
Ventur Travel’s specialist leisure division, Ventur Luxury based in Harrogate, also joins Gray Dawes Group as part of the deal.
Group chief executive Suzanne Horner said: “I have long admired the business that Gary McLeod, Elaine Holmes and their team have built, first as Traveleads and now as Ventur.
“This latest chapter in our development – Gray Dawes’ 11th acquisition to date – marks such an exciting time for us and our customers.
“Following the challenges of the last two years, Gray Dawes are fantastically placed, both financially and from a skills perspective, to really drive our recovery while developing all parts of the business and new ventures.
“Through strong management, belief in our people, innovative technology and outstanding customer service, Gray Dawes have weathered the pandemic storm of the last two years better than most.”
She added: “Welcoming Ventur into the Group only strengthens our position and offering. The TMC is renowned across the industry for their loyal and outstanding staff.”
Gary McLeod, Ventur business transition consultant and former joint managing director of Traveleads, added “I am very excited by the opportunity to work with Suzanne and her team, and thrilled for Ventur’s staff to be part of an award-winning travel management company.
“There are so many synergies across the businesses which makes this a very natural fit. By being part of the Gray Dawes Group, we will be even stronger and able to deliver enhanced opportunities to our staff and clients alike.”
Gray Dawes Group chairman and member of the company’s owners, the Inchcape family, Fergus Glenapp, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the Ventur business, itself a family-owned company, into the Group.
“I look forward to supporting the remarkable and continued growth of our fantastic company.”