Gray Dawes Group has bought TMC Giles Travel, as well as its specialist MICE division, Globe; leisure division, World by Design; and brand and marketing agency, Square1.
As result, staff numbers look set to grow to more than 200, while the combined turnover will exceed £150 million a year, up from £115 million.
Suzanne Horner, chief executive of Gray Dawes Group, told BBT in a recent interview the group was on a spending spree and that within three years turnover would reach £200 million "through acquisitions and organic growth".
Following the Giles Travel acquistion announcement, Horner said: “This is an exciting period for Gray Dawes, our employees and loyal clients. Our company has grown rapidly through organic sales and acquisition; this latest chapter in our development is the jewel in the crown to a highly successful 2018. That is not to say, however, that it is our final acquisition of the year.
"I have long admired the business that David Giles and the whole team have built. Giles Travel is renowned across the industry and has outstanding staff. It is safe to say I am delighted to welcome them to the Gray Dawes Group!”
David Giles, chairman of Giles Travel, said: “Both Gray Dawes and The Giles Group have invested heavily in staff as well as client facing and back office technology. I am very excited by the opportunity to work with Suzanne and her team.
“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.”
Gray Dawes Group has offices in London, Colchester, Cambridge, Leamington Spa, Amersham and Stoneleigh, and is a member of the global Radius Travel Network.
On the acquisition trail - Gray Dawes list of purchases over the past three years:
November 2018: Amersham-based Giles Travel
December 2017: Redhill-based CTM
December 2016: Travel Management Group and Cambridge Business Travel
October 2015: Travel Focus Limited
April 2015: The Business Travel Partnership
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