Audley Travel
- Sector Consumer & Private Label
- Year invested 2015
- Location UK
- Status Current
Audley Travel (“Audley”) is a leading provider of tailor-made experiential travel to over 100 destinations worldwide.
Visit audleytravel.com
Overview
Serving clients predominantly in the UK and US, Audley is renowned for its superior customer service and in-depth destination expertise delivered by its country specialists. This exceptional service drives customer loyalty leading to high levels of repeat customers and referrals.
Founded in 1996, Audley is the clear market leader in tailor-made travel in the UK. The business expanded into the US in 2014 with the opening of an office in Boston that has grown rapidly and is now generating over c.30% of total revenues.
How we add value
Using our extensive experience backing transatlantic growth businesses and our international network, we have supported the business’s growth plans and M&A opportunities in new source markets. We built on Audley's market leading position in the UK and accelerated growth in its US business, including the launch of European destinations in 2016.
We completed a successful refinancing in 2018 with the support of our banking team and provided a meaningful capital injection to support the business through Covid, supporting liquidity and enabling continued investment in the new booking platform.
We helped with the implementation of a wider employee incentive scheme to benefit a broader base of Audley management and country specialists and continue to drive the digital development of the business.
3i has been a great partner and showed unwavering support through the pandemic. Leveraging 3i’s deep travel sector expertise and global network, Audley has cemented its leading position in bespoke travel within the UK and built on its strong position in the US.
Regulatory information
This transaction involved a recommendation of 3i Investments plc.