Thu, 31 Jul 2025 | BUSINESS SALE
Forward Travel, a West Yorkshire-based professional sports travel management agency, has acquired leisure golf holiday provider Find a Golf Break, in a deal that is expected to both strengthen its core B2B operations, while accelerating its expansion into the consumer travel market.
Forward Travel, which was founded in 1995 and is based in Sowerby Bridge, partners with professional athletes, broadcast production teams and tournament organisers. The firm provides bespoke, end-to-end travel management services, spanning complex flight logistics to content support for events worldwide.
The company has traditionally specialised in professional golf, but has a growing presence in other sports, including football. Its current clients include DP World Tour, R&A, LET, LPGA, IMG and Whisper TV.
With the acquisition of Find a Golf Break, Forward Travel makes its first major step into the leisure travel market. The Pontefract-based golf tour operator offers curated golf holidays across the UK, Europe and further afield.
Forward Travel Chief Executive Bill Tannahil said that the acquisition was “a pivotal moment” in the company’s journey”. The deal will also see seasoned travel entrepreneur Steve Turner join the company as Chairman, with Tannahill saying his appointment “strengthens our leadership at a critical time”.
The deal was funded by a £2 million investment package from HSBC UK and Arete Capital Partners, comprising £1 million in debt financing from HSBC UK and £1 million in equity from Arete. The backing from Arete will also provide working capital to drive Forward Travel’s growth plans.
Bill Tannahill said that HSBC UK and Arete’s backing “gives us the platform to grow with confidence”, helping the firm to expand its capabilities and enter new markets.
Arete partner Ben Hatton described Forward Travel as “a high-integrity business with a proven track record in sports travel”, adding that the acquisition of Find a Golf Break “adds a valuable consumer-facing arm to their platform and opens up exciting growth opportunities.”
HSBC UK Relationship Manager Darren Martin said that Forward Travel was “already an established presence in the sports travel market” and that the acquisition would “help unlock further growth opportunities in new markets.”
Forward Travel, which is on track to achieve £16 million in revenue this year, is undertaking a three-year plan to triple its revenue. The company is also seeking to expand its sales and business development capabilities and increase its headcount.
M*A activity has been seeing a strong recovery in the travel and tourism sector
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