Risk Capital buys Neilson Active Holidays from Thomas Cook

Alice Murray
25 November 2013

Tweet
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google plus
Send to

Luke Johnsonтs Risk Capital Partners has acquired Neilson Active Holidays from the Thomas Cook Group.

It is understood that the company was purchased for £9.15m.

According to Johnson, Thomas Cook approached the buyout house to make an offer for the company off the back of Risk Capital's recent acquisition of Cruise.co, a UK-based online cruise holiday operator.

Following the deal, Risk Capital will focus on making the brand independent and will concentrate on the most successful part of the business – the BeachClubs.

Company
Neilson offers a range of holidays including sailing, skiing and beach vacations to around 90,000 customers each year. Last year the company recorded revenues of £70m, with EBIT believed to stand at around £1m.

Founded in 1978, Neilson sells directly through its website and operates a call centre based in Brighton Marina. It also trades through the UK ABTA travel agent network, as well as through specialist skiing and sailing websites.

The company operates nine summer BeachClubs in Greece and Turkey, as well as 119 cruising yachts from several Mediterranean sailing bases. Its ski resorts are located in the major destinations in Europe and the US, with a network of chalets and a developing Club Hotel offering.

People
Luke Johnson is chairman of Risk Capital. Michael Simmonds led the deal on behalf of the GP and will join Johnson on the board. The deal saw Neilson's existing management team of Pete and Pip Tyler staying with the business. They will be joined by executive chairman Richard Bowden-Doyle and finance director David Taylor.