The deal, concluded on Friday (28 April), will extend Gray Dawes’ turnover to more than £350 million a year and push its employee numbers towards 300.
It follows the appointments in February of Michel Botbol as president of the company’s North American operation, and Catolann Martini as its chief customer officer.
Earlier this year, Gray Dawes also expanded into Australia with the acquisition of MP Travel, which has bases in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Suzanne Horner, Gray Dawes Group chief executive, said the group’s presence in the US was the "next step in its global growth plan". The acquisition of Express Travel is Gray Dawes’ thirteenth to date. “Our clients increasingly want global solutions, even the smaller ones," Horner continued.
"They’re taking us on the journey. We’ve been very successful picking up businesses in the UK and integrating them. We know how to do that well. Now we’re doing that overseas, earlier this year in Australia and now in America."
Horner said the group’s technology platform would be rolled out across its growing global operation, allowing it to provide seamless, round-the-clock service to clients.
"Following the challenges of the past two years, Gray Dawes is fantastically placed, both financially and from a skills perspective, to really drive our recovery while developing all parts of the business," Horner added.
“Welcoming Express Travel into the Group only strengthens our position and global offering. Express Travel is renowned in the US for their loyal and outstanding staff. I am delighted to welcome them to the Gray Dawes Group."
Olga Ramudo and Cristina Jacomino, Express Travel’s joint managing partners, will remain with the business following the acquisition, with Ramudo taking up the role of senior vice-president Florida and Latin America, while Jacomino will direct the group’s luxury travel operation.
