The London-based operator has a fleet of around 40 vehicles and bases in central London and Heathrow
FirstGroup has acquired London-based coach operator Anderson Travel, which provides contracted school, private hire, mini coach and tour services in and around London, as well as a day excursion programme aimed at international visitors, with a fleet of around 40 vehicles of varying sizes and bases in central London and Heathrow. The group says the purchase will extend its operational footprint and forms part of its strategy of targeted acquisitions to grow its share of the UK adjacent services market.
The acquisition covers Anderson Travel’s three trading entities, Anderson Travel Limited, Anderson Tours Limited and London Mini Coaches Limited. The company has a depot near Tower Bridge in central London and a new, smaller depot near Heathrow airport. For the year ended 30 June 2023, Anderson Travel reported revenues of £7.3m. Founder and majority owner Mark Anderson will continue to lead the day to day operations of the business as it is integrated into First Bus.
FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland said: “The acquisition of Anderson Travel, an experienced and profitable coach company, builds on our recent strategic acquisitions in the B2B and B2C coach market. We will continue to identify and assess opportunities to diversify and grow as we increase our share of the adjacent services market in the UK, where we see considerable opportunity for stable, long-term and value accretive growth.”
