Apiary Capital completes first investment

Apiary Capital (“Apiary”), a new UK lower mid-market private equity firm, today announces its first deal from Apiary Capital Partners I with a primary buyout of The Appointment Group (“TAG”), the award-winning event and corporate travel management company.

“As a UK company operating in a fragmented market and with an excellent platform for growth, TAG fits perfectly within our investment sphere.”

Nicki Boyd, Partner, Apiary Capital.

Founded by John Gianquitto and Maurice Veronique in 1988, TAG is the leading travel management company to the global live music and entertainment touring industry. TAG works with tour managers to arrange complex, often global, travel itineraries for performing artists such as Jay-Z, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters and Depeche Mode, as well as their support teams and production crews.

The company also serves the ‘high-touch’ segment of the corporate travel market, particularly the financial services, sports, film and media sectors, as well as providing event management and private client services.

Headquartered in the UK, TAG has 270 employees across nine offices in four countries: London, Manchester, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Nashville, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney.

Apiary’s investment will drive transformational growth for TAG through acquisitions, investment in technology and people, as well as continued international expansion.

TAG is also today announcing the appointment of a new CEO, Steve Barrass, who will join the business on 1st August to drive the firm’s growth plans. Steve will be joining from dnata Travel (part of the Emirates Group), where he was Senior Vice President for New Ventures.

Following Barrass’ appointment, Veronique will step down from the board whilst co-founder Gianquitto will remain in the business on a day-to-day basis and take the role of Founder and President, with a particular focus on driving the continued growth of the touring business.

Co-Founder, John Gianquitto said: “This is an incredible milestone for The Appointment Group. Apiary’s investment will enable the Group to accelerate its growth through technology investment and expansion into new markets, whilst maintaining its reputation for peerless levels of customer service that everyone has come to expect from TAG.”