Clarity acquires Agiito and Evolvi from Capita plc

Clarity, the Business Travel and Events division of the Portman Travel Group has today announced the agreement to acquire Agiito, one of the UK’s most respected Corporate Travel and Events agencies and Evolvi the B2B rail ticketing platform from Capita plc.

The deal is expected to complete once National Security and Investment Act approval has been received.

Years of expertise and experience combined

In combination with Clarity and Brighter Events, the planned acquisition of Agiito sees years of expertise and experience combined in the sector alongside enviable reputations for service and driving value in corporate travel programmes. The new combined business will benefit from a unique, cutting-edge technology platform with proprietary technologies in Online Booking, Meetings & Events and Rail.

The business will be led by the combined Executive Leadership teams from both businesses and headed by Pat McDonagh as CEO, who commented:

“I’m delighted to welcome Donna and her Executive team to the business and look forward to working with them to create something truly special for all of our clients. I’ve known the senior leadership at Agiito for a while and have huge respect for their achievements. Together with the existing Clarity Executive team, we look forward to building a bright future together. Right now, the focus is on business as usual as we work to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional value, service and technology to our clients. Over the coming months we will unite under the Clarity name, leveraging the combined strength of our technology and supplier partnerships. It’s extremely exciting and there are huge opportunities for growth for the wider teams of Clarity and Agiito moving forward.”

A complementary fit

Donna Fitzgerald, CEO of Agiito commented, “The planned acquisition of Agiito by Clarity is great news for Agiito, our clients and our people. Our businesses are such a great, complimentary fit and their combined strength will be hugely advantageous to our customers. We’re looking forward to working with the Clarity team and the wider Portman Group to realise the huge potential this combination brings.”

A powerful addition

Redmond Walsh, CEO of Portman Travel Group commented, “Evolvi is a powerful addition to the Portman Travel Group portfolio and one in which we intend to invest. Andrew and his team have decades of experience in the rail technology sector and we aim to support them, encouraging innovation and growth as part of the Portman Travel Group.”

Andrew Cantrell, Managing Director, Evolvi commented, “We’ve known the Portman Travel Group as a customer for many years and look forward to working with them to drive the business forward. They know rail, understand the value of the product and it’s importance in the race to net zero.”

About The Portman Travel Group

The Portman Travel Group is a UK based portfolio of travel businesses. It has three core divisions, Business Travel, Sports Travel and Luxury Leisure Travel with a number of businesses operating in each division: The key brands are Clarity for Business Travel & Events, Destination Sports Group for Sports Travel, and Elegant Resorts and If Only for Luxury Leisure Travel. The Group has over 750 employees.

About Clarity

Clarity, the Business Travel and Events division of Portman Travel Group is headquartered in Manchester with over 400 employees, servicing a wide variety of clients across sectors including Legal Professional Services, Retail, Infrastructure, Construction, Marine, Charity, Academia and Public Sector.

About Agiito and Evolvi

Agiito is an award-winning UK travel, meetings and events management intermediary with its roots going back 50 years, supported by well-recognised brands. Agiito serves a diverse set of enterprise, mid-size and small-capitalisation customers in the private and public sectors – the majority with a UK-centric buying profile.

Evolvi is a specialist B2B rail ticket issuing platform provider.