FSP advises on sale of Stewarts Coach Group Limited

A team at FSP led by Penelope Garden has advised the shareholders of Stewarts Coach Group on the sale of the company to The Kings Ferry Group, a subsidiary of the National Express Group.

Stewarts Coach Group have five subsidiaries and trades as Stewarts Coaches, Woods Coaches, Woods Tours and Stewarts Tours. Stewarts Coaches, based in the Thames Valley area, provides a diverse range of transportation options for both private and corporate clients and has built up its reputation on providing quality services. The business’ quality has been acknowledged through achieving earned recognition from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Woods Coaches, based in Leicester has been in successful operation since 1950. Woods coaches has built up an excellent local reputation for its quality services and remains the only company in Leicester to be given British Coach Guild status.  Woods Coaches and Stewarts Tours provide day trips and holidays to many locations in the United Kingdom and areas of Europe. The tour providers are praised on the vast range of tour packages that are available to their customers.

Field Seymour Parkes has advised Stewarts since Andy Cotton originally acquired the business 17 years ago, including its acquisition of the Woods Coaches.

Andy Cotton will remain as the Managing Director to ensure a smooth transition into the new ownership, supported by his current management and driving team.

“This truly puts Stewarts and Woods Coaches into an enviable position being part of a multi-billion International company which has safety at its absolute core. Thank you to everyone involved for your professionalism and loyalty, the future is now significantly brighter for all associated within the Stewarts businesses” Andy Cotton.

Ian Fraser, Managing Director of The Kings Ferry is keen to engage with both teams and learn not only the day to day business, but the people and what makes it a success. Andy and Ian have been both friends and professional acquaintances for a number of years and both are excited by the opportunity of working together and joining forces.

“Stewarts is a high-quality operation with exceptional customers and people. We have no plans to change what has made it a success, they really are a welcomed addition to the Kings Ferry Group and National Express family” Ian Fraser.

Penelope Garden (partner, corporate) led the team with support from Ian Wood- Smith (senior partner, corporate) and Ian Machray (partner, employment).

Andy Cotton, commented:

“FSP have afforded me and my business with truly outstanding service for many years. Their professionalism, knowledge, attention to detail, advice, support, tenacity and communication has been simply outstanding. Selling my business was a hugely onerous process and without FSP being involved from start to finish I just couldn’t have concluded the sale – I could not be more thankful and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough”