Business Travel Direct has acquired Uniglobe Preferred Travel in a deal that will see the TMCs create a combined business with annual turnover in excess of £100 million.
As part of the acquisition, Uniglobe Preferred Travel will be brought into the Ickenham Travel Group, though it will retain its name and membership of Uniglobe. All staff at its offices in Brighton and London will be retained, which Business Travel Direct says will complement its teams in Langley, Fareham, Oxford and its marine specialist division in London.
The TMCs say they both share a common emphasis on technology, with both firms being Concur partners.
John Burroughes, MD of Uniglobe Preferred Travel, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Business Travel Direct. Both our organisations come from similar family owned backgrounds, sharing the same vision and values. For our clients and staff it will be ‘business as usual’, however we now have the opportunity to leverage our position as a larger entity. Business Travel Direct has made major technology investments which we believe will benefit all of our clients.”
Julie Oliver, MD of Business Travel Direct, commented: “Uniglobe Preferred Travel is a well respected company that will be a great addition to the Ickenham Travel Group. We have known the team at Uniglobe Preferred Travel for many years and believe that our shared company values, service driven culture and focus on next generation technology will create a strong positive future.”
Peter Reglar, CEO of Ickenham Travel Group, confirmed that the company was looking to invest and expand further over the next 12 months: “Our plans include setting up a standalone technology solutions company reflecting our diversification to encompass not only corporate travel management but also the provision of technology consultancy services including technical and procurement advice.”
Business Travel Direct won Best Travel Management Company (£50-£200 million UK annual sales) at this year's Business Travel Awards.
businesstraveldirect.co.uk; uniglobepreferred.co.uk