Gray Dawes acquisition gives foothold in Australia

Gray Dawes Group has acquired Australian travel management business MP Travel for an undisclosed sum. 

The deal as part of strategic global growth plans takes family-owned Gray Dawes’ turnover to more than £250 million and pushes employee numbers beyond 250. 

Group chief executive Suzanne Horner suggested a move into the US was next in line following the 12th acquisition by the TMC.

She said: “Our clients increasingly want global solutions, even the smaller ones. They’re taking us on the journey. 

“We’ve been very successful picking up businesses in the UK and integrating them. We know how to do that well. Now we’re doing that overseas and Australia is the beginning with MP Travel.” 

Horner added: “Our out-of-hours service is already resourced in Australia, so with the addition of something in the US next, we’d have a follow-the-sun set up – that’s our strategy. 

“Following the challenges of the last two years, Gray Dawes is 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 has weathered the pandemic storm of the last two years better than most.” 

Viscount Inchcape, Fergus Glenapp, Gray Dawes chairman and board member of the company’s owners, Inchcape Family Estates, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the MP Travel business, itself an independently-owned company, into the Group.”  

“I look forward to supporting the remarkable and continued growth of our fantastic company as we venture into the global arena.” 

MP Travel joint managing director Kerri Primrose added: “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 global opportunities to our staff and clients alike.”