Souter Investments, the family investment office of Sir Brian Souter, completed five major new investments in 2011 with its brands and people winning a series of top awards.
Souter Investments’ largest deal was the acquisition of Istanbul Deniz Otobusleri (IDO), the world’s biggest municipal ferry operator, from theMunicipalityofIstanbul. Souter co-led the deal with three Turkish partners. IDO operates 52 vessels and carries more than 50 million passengers a year.
InPoland, Souter Investments launched PolskiBus.com, an innovative inter-city express coach service offering great value fares, free on-board Wi-Fi and high standards of customer service. Since launch in June 2011, PolskiBus.com has carried over 450,000 passengers to 17 cities inPolandas well as four European capitals.
Souter Investments also invested in Pure, a health and fitness chain based inWarsawand founded by ex-Fitness First founder Mike Balfour.
In the UK Souter invested in the management buy-out of EMCAS, a claims management business based inDevon.
Souter also acquired a minority shareholding in a new Latin American mobile virtual network operation, trading under the brand Virgin Mobile Latin America.
On the awards front:
- The IDO deal won the European Transport Privatisation Deal of the Year 2011
- Colin Robertson, CEO of Alexander Dennis, the UK’s leading bus and coach manufacturer, was named Scottish Entrepreneur of the Year
- Sunseeker, the iconic luxury motor-yacht manufacturer, won numerous industry awards
- Argent Energy, the Scottish bio-fuels business, has been nominated for the 2012 Scottish Business Awards Green Business Award
Sir Brian Souter said: “It was a busy year for Andy Macfie and the Souter Investments team and pleasing to see so many of our brands and people receive recognition from their peers.”
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For further information please contact Gordon Beattie on 07768 588163