Incorporate Travel in SAT swoop

AMBITIOUS business travel company, Incorporate, has made a fresh acquisition.

Manchester-based Incoroprate was launched in May 2013 by Paula Cullen and Mike Crotty, with the backing of Praetura Capital.  Its maiden acquisition was for Huddersfield-based Seller Travel and it has now bought Bolton company SAT Business Travel Management.

SAT is the principal subsidiary of Strandhall Management, which Incorporate has bought, again with the support of Praetura Capital.

Founded  more than 30 years ago and based in Horwich, SAT is recognised  as one of the UK’s leading independent marine and corporate travel management specialists, providing services including air travel, UK and European rail travel, conferences, hospitality and passport visa assistance.

The deal sees one of its current shareholders, Paul Sutton, remaining with the business to help the wider group deliver its growth plans.

Mr Sutton owned 50% of Strandhall along with Barbara Lawson. The pair were advised by North West accountants CLB Coopers and LLM Solicitors. The CLB Coopers team was led by Andrew Feeke, David Travis and Ian Smethurst.

Incorporate Travel Management Ltd was advised by Praetura, with the team led by Peadar O’Reilly and Bill Tannerhill. Praetura provided equity funding, with Centric Commercial Finance providing debt funding. Legal advice was provided to Incorporate by Gateleys, led by Paul Jefferson and Victoria Jew.

Mr Feeke said the firm had been working with Strandhall’s shareholders for some time to groom the business for sale.

“This is an excellent juncture for the company to become part of Incorporate to capitalise further on the niche market opportunities identified and to enhance SAT’s exceptional reputation for service delivery in the marketplace.”