Management buyout at Bradt Guides as two depart

Bradt Guides, a publisher of travel guides founded in 1974 by Hilary Bradt and her husband George, has been sold to its current management team.

After nearly 50 years as either sole trader or the majority stakeholder of the company, under the agreed sale Hilary Bradt will continue to hold a minority stake of the business and sit on its board. 

She said: "I am pleased and relieved that the future of the company is assured, not just as a publishing house but one with the values that have stood us in good stead for nearly 50 years. I am confident that, with this management structure, we will continue to flourish as a respected, award-winning—and one of the world’s last—independent travel publishers."

The rest of the board will comprise m.d. Adrian Phillips, commercial director Hugh Brune and Anna Moores, editorial and creative director. 

Peter Jay, the current finance director, and Donald Greig, who was m.d. from 2007 to 2014 and has remained involved with the company since, will be leaving the business. 

Phillips added: “It’s a great honour that Hilary has entrusted us to take over her company. We started discussing the possibility of a management buyout long before Covid hit, so I’m delighted that it has finally come to fruition. While we have a new board, it’s full of familiar faces. 

“Hugh and Anna are longstanding members of the Bradt team, and have done a sterling job of steering us through the recent difficult times. I can’t think of anyone better to help me take the company forward, and ensure it continues to thrive as one of the iconic travel publishing houses.”