Seven-figure buyout creates £25m-turnover adventure group

Wintersports operator Ski Solutions has supported a management buyout of Scottish adventure operator Wilderness Scotland with £3.1m follow-on funding from private equity firm Mobeus.

The newly enlarged business will trade as Active Travel Group and comprise Wilderness Scotland, sister brand Wilderness Ireland, Ski Solutions and cycle and walking operators Cycling for Softies and BSpoke.

Active Travel Group will have a turnover of more than £25m in 2018, employ a team of 75 staff and look after over 20,000 clients.

Mobeus invested £6.3m in Ski Solutions in August last year to scale the business and create a broader lineup of activities.

A team at Mobeus team identified Wilderness Scotland as the most attractive investment opportunity for London-based Ski Solutions after carrying out an acquisition search.

Mobeus Partner Ashley Broomberg, who led on the deal with colleague Danielle Garland, commented: “We are delighted to have brought Ski Solutions and Wilderness Scotland together to create an exciting and ambitious travel group just 12 months after our original investment.

“The Active Travel Group combines several brands recognised for product expertise and customer excellence and is well on the way to delivering a compelling range of year-round activity holidays.”