Cavendish Corporate Finance, a specialist sell-side M&A firm, has advised the shareholders of Neilson Active Holidays (Neilson), a provider of overseas active holidays, on its investment by to mid-market private equity investor, LDC to support management’s expansion strategy.
Neilson offers a fantastic range of award-winning, activity-focussed holidays across seven countries in Europe where it operates beachclubs, ski hotels and chalets and 65 yachts, exclusively for its guests who number almost 80,000 every year.
In recent years Neilson has successfully capitalised on the increasing demand for activity and wellness holidays at the premium end of the market. This investment will enable the business to accelerate growth through the opening of new hotels to extend the range of countries in which the business operates as well as providing further backing for strategic acquisitions. With revenues of GBP80 million, Neilson is a highly profitable business that is primed for further growth.
As part of the deal, LDC’s Richard Whitwell and David Bains will join the board. The transaction provides an exit for Risk Capital Partners.
Cavendish Corporate Finance, which advised Neilson’s shareholders, has an extensive track record in both the consumer and travel sectors. Recent high profile deals include advising on the sale of Tristar Worldwide, global luxury chauffeur services to Addison Lee, Scott Dunn, luxury travel to Inflexion Private Equity and Oka, the London-based furniture company to Investindustrial.
The Cavendish team was led by Jonathan Buxton, partner and head of Consumer.
Jonathan Buxton says: “We are delighted to have advised the Neilson shareholders and to have found in LDC the right investor to take the firm to its next stage of growth. There is a growing demand for activity and wellness holidays in the UK and this transaction will enable Neilson to meet the needs of its growing customer base, drive the expansion of Neilson’s award winning beach clubs and increase its presence across key holiday destinations in Europe and around the world.”
