General manager Liz Hall and sales manager David Holland have acquired African Pride and sister brand Knighton Reeve from The Curzon Corporation, which founded the business in 1999.

As a result of the management buyout, Hall and Holland have become joint directors in The Knavesmire Travel Group, the company they used to buy African Pride.

Hall said: “African Pride has enjoyed great success since the business started and latterly, the luxury Knighton Reeve programme has added to this success.

“Curzon have been excellent and supportive owners and were keen to see continuity preserved with the sale.

“I spoke with David Holland and together we were delighted to take this rare opportunity to buy a well-known specialist business.”

Holland, who was previously sales director at both Gold Medal and Travel 2, added African Pride’s staff had agreed to remain with the firm.

“This was a key part of our strategy – the staff are essential to our success and we are delighted that they have come with us on this journey,” he said. “Our agency relationships are also vital to our future and I look forward to working with them in the months ahead in developing our business further.”