Flight Centre Travel Group Expands UK Presence with Acquisition of Fresh Group Agency

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (FLT), based in Australasia, has made a strategic move by acquiring Fresh Group, a Manchester, UK-based brand experience and meetings and events agency. This acquisition, announced on March 20, 2026, enables FLT to enhance its UK event capabilities and integrate creative expertise with its global travel management services.

Fresh Group is known as the creative engine behind brand experiences for numerous blue-chip organisations, such as Visa, Vodafone, M&S, Currys, Siemens, Hyundai, Co-op, and Samsung. With this integration, Fresh will become part of FLT’s FCM Meetings & Events operation but will retain its creative identity. This strategic alignment is expected to be mutually beneficial, leveraging FLT’s global scale and technology while enhancing service offerings for Fresh’s clients.

Fresh is projected to achieve £18 million in turnover and £1.2 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) in the fiscal year 2026 (FY26). FLT’s acquisition of Fresh Group aims to solidify its presence in the rapidly growing and high-margin meetings and events (M&E) sector. This is in line with FLT’s strategic objective to deepen customer relationships by providing additional value-added services and expanding beyond traditional travel management.

During the first half of FY26, FLT reported that nearly 10% of its corporate sector revenue was generated from M&E and professional services, indicating a shift towards a more integrated approach in its service offerings. The acquisition not only enhances FLT's capabilities but also creates cross-sell opportunities across its existing 2,200 UK corporate customers. Additionally, Fresh’s clients will have access to FCM’s corporate travel and global servicing capabilities, creating a two-way growth opportunity for both entities.

FLT’s managing director, Graham Turner, emphasised that Fresh’s strong market reputation and impressive client roster elevate FLT’s position in an attractive sector. He noted that the acquisition allows for a fully integrated M&E offering in the UK, reducing reliance on external suppliers and capturing more value within the group.

Lee Harris, CEO of Fresh Group, expressed excitement over joining a reputable organisation that will accelerate Fresh’s global presence while maintaining local expertise. He highlighted that this integration will remove friction in planning and creation, bolstered by strategic thinking and world-class creative execution. This move is expected to provide a premium, scalable service that enhances visibility, delivers impactful experiences, and generates strong returns on investment.

Frits de Kok, head of Meetings & Events for EMEA, remarked that the acquisition represents a significant opportunity for FCM Meetings & Events. With a 50% increase in business from 2025 to 2026, the acquisition will not only expand FLT’s footprint in response to the rising demand for in-person events but will also transform its delivery capabilities by incorporating brand experience and full-scale production services.

The acquisition involved 100% ownership of Fresh Approach (UK) Holdings Limited. FLT utilised its cash reserves to finance the acquisition, although the exact financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The ownership distribution of Fresh includes management (75%), founders (12.5%), and NVM Private Equity (12.5%). Established in 2004, Fresh Group currently employs around 65 people.

This strategic acquisition is a crucial step for FLT as it continues to position itself more competitively in the UK market, particularly in the meetings and events sector, by harnessing Fresh’s creative prowess and client relationships to drive future growth.