Haven Europe management buy-out

HOLIDAY parks operator Haven Europe has been acquired by its management team after agreeing a deal with owners Bourne Leisure. The management buy out was led by entrepreneur Leslie Hurst, who becomes chief executive, with funding from the management team and N M Rothschilds. Hurst, who trained as a lawyer with Rank, which became Bourne Leisure, immediately vowed to develop the business. “Haven Europe is a long established holiday business with a strong reputation for providing quality, value for money holidays,” he said. “Its high level of repeat bookings is a reflection of the company’s standing among customers and agents. We look forward to developing the business and continuing to be the market leader in offering customers the best quality holiday park experience in Europe.” The existing management – sales and marketing director Kate Locke, operations director Ian Smith and director of finance Nigel Law – will all remain with the business. The deal comes after Bourne Leisure decided the operation was not central to its business going forward. “Everyone recognised there was an opportunity to grow the business but that was not going to happen under Bourne,” a spokesman said. “This deal is good for everyone.” Haven Europe carry around 115,000 holidaymakers to parks around France each year.