United Co-op unites business travel units

Tuesday, 13 Feb, 2006 0

United Co-op Travel Group claims to have created a £60 million turnover business travel company by bringing its corporate travel brands together.

The new Co-operative Travel Management, employing 200 people across 13 regional offices, is looking for growth in the sector and is seeking further acquisitions.

It combines the resources of Hourds Business Travel, Corniche Travel Management, Apollo Business Travel and Tony Iredale Travel. Major contracts include Somerfield and the NHS.

General manager Anthony Rissbrook, previously finance director of Hourds Travel, is heading the new business, reporting to Alistair Rowland, UCTG’s general manager distribution.

Rissbrook said: “We believe there is a gap in the business travel market for an organisation that combines local, personal service with the value that can be offered by one the UK’s leading travel groups.

“By taking the Co-operative name we aim to emphasise the principals of value, trust and expedience upon which our business is based. This approach will particularly appeal to SME customers who are currently, on the whole, poorly served by the market. We want to bring the same standard of service to all customers regardless of their size.”

Rowland added: “Not only do we believe that there is scope for organic growth in this market. We will be looking at opportunities for acquisition that meet our objectives for expansion.”

The £496 million turnover United Co-op Travel Group is one of the UK’s largest independent holiday retailers and a division of United Co-operatives.

Report by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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