Livingstone’s Consumer sector team has advised the management team of luxury holiday firm Scott Dunn on the acquisition of a majority holding in the business by private equity investor Inflexion.
Founded in 1986 by Andrew Dunn, Scott Dunn is recognised as a premium brand within the sector. It was voted the number one specialist tour operator by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller in 2014. The company operates within the luxury travel market, which has grown by more than 12% over the last three years, as demand from affluent customers in the UK and overseas has increased.
Simon Russell, CEO of Scott Dunn, says: “We are committed to continue delivering exceptionally high standards of service to our current and future guests. With Inflexion’s proven track record of helping British businesses grow internationally and through acquisition; we are confident that with their backing, we can implement our ambitious expansion plans.
“Having seen what the Livingstone Travel team had been able to achieve on previous deals in the sector, we knew that they would be able to combine their sector insight with their experience of acting for management teams in private equity deals. Their expertise, advice and pro-active support really helped us as we navigated our way through the process.”
Simon Cope-Thompson, Partner at Livingstone, says: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Simon and the rest of the management team on this exciting deal. We are confident that with Inflexion’s backing and support, Scott Dunn will continue to build substantial shareholder value.”
“Scott Dunn’s management team have built up an excellent business, which is well known across the sector, and is well positioned to continue to grow as it builds on its established market presence and expands further internationally,” adds James Lever, Partner at Livingstone.
