OC&C, KPMG and E&Y guiding ATPI Mgt. buy-out

The ownership of corporate travel management company ATP International Group (ATPI) has changed for the third time in six years. This time the management of the firm decided to perform a management buy-out (MBO) from its shareholder, private equity firm Equistone Partners Europe. The transaction was supported by OC&C Strategy Consultants (commercial due diligence), KPMG (financial due diligence), Ernst & Young (tax advisory), Rothschild (corporate finance) en DLA Piper (legal advice).

ATPI Group is a global firm that provides business travel, corporate event management and online travel services. Headquartered in London, ATPI Group has 1,400 employees divided over 52 offices. Its history lies in the Netherlands: in the late 1990’s Dutch travel management company Active Travel grew by consolidating several travel companies across Holland. After it bought two British travel firms - Seaforths and Ayscough Travel – it grew its market position in the UK. Since the backing of private equity firms in the mid 2000’s it has realized a strong global expansion strategy.

Third owner in six years of time

ATP International Group was bought for £36 million in 2006 by LDC, a British private equity (PE) firm that focuses on the mid-market. In 2008, LDC doubled its investment by selling ATP to another PE company, Equistone Partners Europe, for £73 million. The sum paid for the management buy-out has not been disclosed. The current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Graham Ramsey will continue to lead ATPI.