Lucketts’ expansion plans get into gear with Blake Morgan

Advised by law firm Blake Morgan’s corporate team, Hampshire-based Lucketts Group has kicked off its recently-announced expansion trail with the acquisition of Solent Coaches.

This acquisition will see all 19 staff of Solent Coaches taken on by Lucketts, with the intention being to grow the operation significantly.

“At the start of the year we announced our intention to expand geographically and Solent Coaches fits into this plan perfectly,” said Lucketts managing director Tony Lawman.

“The company is family-owned like Lucketts and its offering of coach hire, days out and school travel reflects our core business.  The acquisition of the Ringwood-based operation gives Lucketts an extra 12 coaches to add to its fleet of around 130 vehicles and provides us with a strategic base on the edge of the New Forest.

“Whenever you embark on a strategic plan like this, it’s important to have the right team. Blake Morgan have demonstrated time and again that they understand what we need from our advisers, and on a project such as this they really show their worth.”

James Hawkeswood, Partner and Head of Blake Morgan’s South Coast team said, “We have had the privilege of working with Lucketts for a number of years, and are delighted to be able to help with this exciting phase in their development.  Like Lucketts, we place enormous importance on client satisfaction: you only get to work with quality businesses of their ilk if you continue to exceed their expectations.  Helping them succeed in with their growth strategy will provide us with ample opportunity to keep doing just that”.

Lucketts currently employs more than 300 people and works with some of the biggest names in business and tourism, counting global financial institutions and government departments among its clients.

In addition to Lucketts Travel it owns two other brands – Coliseum Coaches in Southampton and Worthing Coaches – and also runs more than 100 journeys each day for National Express.

Blake Morgan’s corporate team is acknowledged within the legal industry and in the independent legal directories, for providing a first-class level of service across a wide range of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, sales, private equity and joint ventures.