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Audley Travel
Founded in 1996, Audley Travel is a leading provider of tailor-made experiential travel.
Audley Travel provides bespoke holidays from the UK and the USA to over 80 countries, across six continents. The business is headquartered in Witney, with offices in London and Boston, USA, supported by c. 380 employees. Audley Travel is committed to responsible tourism and works with local guides and drivers while supporting a number of social and environmental initiatives.
In 2015, Audley Travel was proud to win The Sunday Times award for The 100 Best Companies to Work For, and in the US was the winner of the 2015 “BostInno’s Coolest Companies” at BostonFest.
VALUE CREATION
Audley Travel has demonstrated strong revenue growth, with departure revenue increasing from £83m in 2012 to £164m forecast for 2015.
In order to capitalise on the opportunity in the US, Audley Travel established an office in Boston in 2014, as a result the business has seen bookings from US customers grow to £21m in just two years.
Equistone has worked alongside the business to support the strengthening of the management team, with the appointment of a Chairman, CEO, CFO and an MD in the US.
THE EXIT
Equistone completed the sale of Audley Travel in a secondary management buyout to 3i.
HOLDING PERIOD
Mar 2012 - Dec 2015
Country
UK
Sector
Consumer
Revenue Progression
£79m / £130m
Employees at ACQ.
175
Investment Type
Primary MBO
Audley has achieved significant progress over the last four years, benefiting considerably from Equistone’s backing.
