If Only acquired by Elegant Resorts parent company

The deal will see founders Brendan and Mary Maguire step back immediately from the business after 18 years.

Chief executive Andy Freeth and his senior team; Gordon McCreadie, product and distribution director; Tracy Docherty, sales director; and David Irving, operations director, will be staying with the company “to drive their continued expansion plans with the support of their new investor”.

If Only joins Portman Travel Group’s portfolio of travel brands including Elegant Resorts and Clarity, which were acquired in 2014, and Ian Allan Travel, which was acquired in May 2019 by Clarity.

In the last 18 months If Only has significantly grown its turnover, moved to new offices, invested in telephony and technology and expanded its portfolio into the US, Caribbean and luxury cruise. In the coming weeks its new Far East brochure will feature Japan and China for the first time in the company’s history.

Brendan Maguire said: “When I recruited Andy, he was tasked with finding an investor with a similar culture, integrity, ethos and a fit that would allow the business to thrive and grow in the future.”