This website will offer limited functionality in this browser. We only support the recent versions of major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
We helped Travel Chapter, one of the UK’s largest holiday lettings agencies, integrate over 400 new employees into its business, following its acquisition of Original Cottages.
In May 2022, Travel Chapter acquired Original Cottages, a Norfolk-based cottage letting agency with over 5,500 UK properties. Original Cottages’ strong family heritage and people-centric values made it a perfect fit for Travel Chapter’s existing portfolio, and the acquisition meant the business could offer its guests an even greater choice of accommodation.
Foot Anstey’s Private Equity team advised Travel Chapter on the acquisition. Following the deal’s completion, and with a strong relationship already in place, the team at Travel Chapter turned to the firm to help it integrate Original Cottages into the Travel Chapter business.
Foot Anstey’s specialist portfolio company experience in post-acquisition integration and its existing knowledge of the two businesses, meant the team could support Travel Chapter on the next stage of its journey.
Based in Devon, Travel Chapter specialises in providing self-catering accommodation across the UK.
Travel Chapter’s mission is to showcase the UK’s most unique and beautiful places to stay, and for over 30 years’ it has worked with holiday homeowners to provide guests with unforgettable experiences.
Travel Chapter’s portfolio includes holidaycottages.co.uk, Original Cottages and Canine Cottages, among many other brands.
The integration of two businesses requires careful planning and this was vital to the success of the Travel Chapter/Original Cottages integration, particularly given the scale. Over 400 Original Cottages employees needed to be integrated into Travel Chapter’s business within a tight timeline.
To make the acquisition a success, the Travel Chapter team were required to look beyond the early stages of the integration and understand and plan for how the two businesses would work together long term.
The Foot Anstey team were able to strategically advise Travel Chapter on streamlining the Original Cottages business, delivering advice on how it could reduce cost and align operations once the businesses were fully integrated.
This involved supporting on the restructure and integration of the businesses by advising on the employee information and consultation process, including reviewing employee communications and training employee representatives, as well as mapping employees into new roles and harmonising terms and conditions of employment where needed.
"It was really rewarding to work so closely with the Travel Chapter team and to be able to support on each milestone of the integration, as we worked together to help Travel Chapter achieve its commercial goals."
"It's been a great privilege for us to support Travel Chapter on their journey from the acquisition of Original Cottages all the way through to integration with the current business. We're excited to continue to work alongside them as they continue to grow in the industry."
With the post-acquisition integration complete, Original Cottages officially joined the Travel Chapter brand portfolio.
With Foot Anstey’s support, the integration was a success for both Travel Chapter and its new employees.
Private Equity bolt on-acquisitions can have many benefits, from expanding market share to increasing profits. But while this all looks great on paper; the integration of a new business can pose challenges.
As part of your acquisition strategy, it’s important to have clear aims and objectives, as well as the right support behind you. Having a legal team who already understands your business, can give you a head start on the process.
Our Private Equity team has the specialist expertise to advise at both the merger and post stages of an acquisition. Our team can work with you to understand your acquisition strategy and support your commercial objectives.
To find out more, contact a member of the team below or visit our dedicated Post-acquisition Integration webpage.
Visit our dedicated Post-acquisition Integration web page for more resources.
