Harris Williams Advises Scott Dunn on its Pending Sale to Flight Centre Travel Group

Rhea-AI Summary

Harris Williams has announced its advisory role for Scott Dunn, a luxury tour operator, in its upcoming sale to Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX: FCTG). The transaction highlights Scott Dunn's strong market position and potential for international growth. Established in 1986, Scott Dunn is a multi-award-winning operator with a reputation for exceptional service in luxury travel. Inflexion Private Equity, Scott Dunn's current owner, is known for investing in high-growth businesses. Flight Centre, listed in 1995, operates in over 90 countries and has a market cap around A$3.2 billion, indicating strong financial backing for the acquisition.

Positive

• Scott Dunn is a well-established luxury tour operator with a strong market reputation.
• The acquisition by Flight Centre Travel Group is expected to enhance Scott Dunn's growth internationally.
• Inflexion Private Equity's investment indicates confidence in Scott Dunn's business model.

Negative

• None.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it is advising Scott Dunn, a portfolio company of Inflexion Private Equity (Inflexion), on its pending sale to Flight Centre Travel Group (ASX: FLT; FCTG). Scott Dunn is one of the world's leading luxury tour operators. The transaction is being led by Will Bain, Ed Arkus, Krishna Patel and Ruben Pinheiro of the Harris Williams Consumer Group.

“The Scott Dunn management team has built a phenomenal business—a truly guest-centric and multi-award-winning brand with a market-leading position in the luxury travel space,” said Will Bain, a managing director at Harris Williams. “We are delighted to be working with the Scott Dunn team on this transaction. FCTG will be a fantastic partner for the business to continue its strong growth on the international stage, and we look forward to following their progress in the years ahead.”

Ed Arkus, a managing director at Harris Williams, added, “This transaction builds on our extensive experience in the travel sector. In recent years Harris Williams has advised on numerous travel sector transactions, involving leading brands such as Forest Holidays, Sykes Cottages, The Travel Chapter, loveholidays, Go City (f.k.a. Leisure Pass Group), A-Rosa, Siblu, Riviera Travel, and Great Rail Journeys. Of note is that the Scott Dunn transaction is one of the first of an international tour operator in the post-Covid world. We are seeing strong interest from investors in the sector, and we expect that to increase in the medium term.”

Established in 1986, Scott Dunn is one of the world’s leading luxury tour operators with offices in the U.K., the U.S., and Asia. With a multi-award-winning brand and team, Scott Dunn sets the benchmark for service-led, luxury, tailor-made travel, delivering a truly one-of-a-kind guest experience. Its unique proposition means Scott Dunn is able to create fantastic luxury holidays to over 100 destination countries, across multiple trip types – from honeymoons to Explorers Kids Clubs, to safaris, to tailor-made touring, ski, and expedition cruising – attracting a loyal and resilient guest base, including, Scott Dunn Private members.

Inflexion is a leading mid-market private equity firm which works in partnership with ambitious management teams of high-growth, entrepreneurial businesses to accelerate sustainable growth. Inflexion’s flexible approach allows it to back both majority and minority investments, typically investing £10 million to £400 million of equity in each deal. With bespoke teams and dedicated capital, Inflexion’s funds invest across a variety of sectors from offices in London, Manchester, and Amsterdam. Inflexion helps businesses achieve the next stage of growth through M&A, international expansion, digital enhancement, talent development, commercial strategy, sustainability focus and access to Inflexion’s global network. It also benefits from a local presence in Bangalore, Boston, São Paulo, and Shanghai dedicated to portfolio development, enabling investee companies to benefit from privileged access to these fast-growth markets.

After starting with one leisure travel shop in the early 1980s, FCTG (ASX: FLT) has enjoyed remarkable growth to become one of the largest and most diverse businesses of its kind in the world with a significant presence across the leisure, corporate, and supply sectors. FLT now has company-owned operations in 26 countries and a corporate travel management network that spans more than 90 countries. Key leisure and corporate travel brands in Australia include Flight Centre, Travel Associates, Travel Partners, Travel Money, BYOjet, Corporate Traveller, and FCM. FLT listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1995 and currently has a market capitalization in the order of A$3.2 billion.

Harris Williams is a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services. Clients worldwide rely on us to help unlock value in their business and turn ambitious goals into reality. We approach every engagement with boundless collaboration, pooling expertise and relationships across industries and geographies to uncover the unique story of each company. For over 30 years, our clients have trusted us to think strategically, execute precisely, and deliver premium outcomes through M&A.

From essential home services, to brands that help consumers identify with a lifestyle, to healthier eating trends, the consumer industry provides a wide range of vibrant sectors to create long-term value. Led by dedicated professionals, the Harris Williams Consumer Group partners with global investors and company leaders. Our clients rely on us to understand their strategic options in the market. We have deep industry knowledge across multiple sectors such as consumer products, consumer services, food and beverage, and consumer multi-site.

Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschäftsführer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230202005681/en/

Julia Moore

media@harriswilliams.com

Source: Harris Williams

FAQ

What is the acquisition deal between Scott Dunn and Flight Centre (FCTG)?

Harris Williams is advising Scott Dunn on its pending sale to Flight Centre Travel Group, enhancing its international growth.

How has Flight Centre (FCTG) performed financially?

Flight Centre Travel Group has a current market capitalization of approximately A$3.2 billion and operates in over 90 countries.

When was Scott Dunn established?

Scott Dunn was established in 1986 and is recognized as a leading luxury tour operator.

What role does Inflexion Private Equity play in the transaction?

Inflexion Private Equity is the current owner of Scott Dunn and supports its growth through M&A.

What is Harris Williams' expertise in the travel sector?

Harris Williams has extensive experience advising on travel sector transactions, showcasing strong interest from investors.