Geoffrey J.W. Kent, founder, chairman and CEO of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has formed a strategic partnership with Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, chairman of Heritage group, to jointly acquire 100 percent of the Abercrombie & Kent Group of Companies S.A. (Abercrombie & Kent). This union brings together the two luxury travel visionaries to further develop Abercrombie & Kent as a premier brand in luxury and experiential travel.
Geoffrey Kent he created the first luxury tented photographic safaris in 1962 in Kenya and has built A&K into one of the world’s leading luxury and adventure travel company.
Manfredi Lefebvre built Silversea Cruises, created by his father in 1994 with the purchase of two ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, into a leading luxury and expedition cruise line. Recently, Royal Caribbean Group acquired a 66 percent stake in Silversea Cruises. Note: A&K is a separate and unique investment by Heritage group, led by Manfredi Lefebvre, and does not involve Silversea.
Geoffrey Kent and Manfredi Lefebvre have known each other for more than twenty years and also been business partners, having acquired the MV Explorer in 1992.
“Abercrombie & Kent is the finest luxury travel company in the world, and I am honored to be able to partner with Geoffrey Kent to help this remarkable company continue its record growth,” said Lefebvre.
Kent added: “I am very excited to be working with Manfredi. I cannot think of a better or more experienced partner for the next phase of A&K’s growth.”
Heritage group will own 85 percent of Abercrombie & Kent and Geoffrey Kent 15 percent. Geoffrey Kent will continue to be chairman and CEO of the operating company, while Manfredi Lefebvre will become chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Holding.
The closing is expected to be completed later in the year, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
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