The Quinn Partnership, Management Due Diligence specialists, has supported ECI Partners, the UK mid-market private equity firm, on their recent investment in premium rail travel company, Amber Travel. The transaction values the business at over £50m and represents a successful exit for Primary Capital who invested in Amber in 2005.

Established in 1980, Amber Travel now has a turnover of £67m and is the UK’s leading specialist, rail tour business, offering escorted group holidays to destinations around the world. The business is growing strongly with turnover growth of over 20% anticipated in 2013.

Amber Travel Executive Chairman Nick Cust said “We’re delighted to welcome ECI Partners aboard Amber. As a management team we are very excited about partnering with ECI, an organisation with a long and positive track record of past and current ownership of travel businesses. Since becoming Chairman in January 2011, I have been very impressed by the quality, value and appeal of our holidays. This is reflected in more and more travel agents selling our packages – an area showing 35% growth this year – and ECI’s ownership will see us redoubling our efforts with the retail trade”.

Chris Watt, Partner at ECI Partners, added “This is a business with a highly differentiated proposition that appeals to the culturally interested traveller. Amber caters for an affluent, growing demographic, that wants to see the world. We are very excited about the prospects for continuing growth at the business, and we look forward to working with Nick and his team.”

Paul Quinn, Director at The Quinn Partnership, commented, “ECI has backed an experienced team with a good track record of growing a successful business. Once again, The Quinn Partnership is delighted to support ECI as it continues to invest. We have worked together now for over 10 years and value the relationship tremendously.”

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