Gray Dawes accelerates North American growth with acquisition of Executive Travel
Deal strengthens global footprint as Gray Dawes powers towards £1bn in global sales.
Gray Dawes Group has completed the acquisition of Nebraska-based corporate travel management company Executive Travel, further strengthening its presence in North America whilst accelerating its global growth strategy.
The transaction marks our seventeenth acquisition.
It takes our family-owned organisation’s annual turnover to nearly £1bn, with 600 colleagues across operations in the UK, Europe, North America and APAC.
The transaction, completed on 30th July 2026, significantly enhances Gray Dawes’ presence in the United States, adding Executive Travel’s operation, head-quartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, to the Group’s existing American and Canadian business and further strengthening its ability to deliver seamless global travel management.
Executive Travel joins a business that has built its reputation on combining High Touch, High Tech and High Content value propositions, delivering highly personal service, innovative technology and meaningful insight to corporate travel programmes – what it describes as a boutique business travel experience on a global scale. This creates a compelling proposition for organisations seeking international capability without sacrificing personal relationships.
Suzanne Horner
CEO, Gray Dawes Group"This is an exciting moment for Gray Dawes Travel. The on-going consolidation taking place in the TMC world has left a significant void for an internationally located, mid-sized, service and technology focussed provider in the USA. Adding the experience, reputation and scale of Executive Travel positions Gray Dawes perfectly to fill that void."
"I've admired the business that Steve and Paul Glenn and their team have built for many years. Executive Travel has an outstanding reputation, exceptional people and a client-first culture that closely mirrors our own, making this a natural fit for both organizations.”
Steve Glenn
Chairman, Executive Travel"From our earliest conversations, it was clear that Gray Dawes shared our philosophy of putting people and service first. Joining the Group gives our clients access to a truly global travel management network while preserving the personal relationships and culture that have defined Executive Travel for decades. We're excited to begin this next chapter alongside Suzanne and the entire Gray Dawes team."
Suzanne Horner
CEO, Gray Dawes Group“Today's TMC clients, regardless of their size, are increasingly international. They seek t a travel partner that can provide a consistent solution across key, global markets, while still delivering the personal attention of a boutique agency.”
"That's exactly what Gray Dawes offers. Our ALWAYS ON service model means there is no such thing as 'after hours'. With dedicated in-country teams operating across North America, Canada, UK, Europe, and APAC, all on a single technology platform, we follow the sun, providing continuous Gray Dawes support wherever and whenever our clients need us. Executive Travel strengthens that capability even further."
Paul Glenn
CEO, Executive Travel"The strategic fit between our businesses is remarkably strong. We share the same commitment to exceptional service, innovation and long-term client relationships. Becoming part of Gray Dawes creates exciting opportunities for our people, broadens the services available to our clients and gives us the scale to compete even more effectively in an increasingly global marketplace."
Suzanne Horner
CEO, Gray Dawes Group“I am excited to welcome Executive Travel’s colleagues and customers into the Gray Dawes family and cannot wait to see the additional features and benefits that we can deliver through working together."
Fergus Glenapp
Chairman, Gray Dawes Group"Executive Travel is a highly respected business with an outstanding reputation and a long history of success. This acquisition significantly strengthens our North American platform and provides an excellent foundation for continued growth across the United States, Canada and beyond. It is another important step in building a truly global travel management company with the agility and service ethos of a boutique business."
It's an exciting time to be a part of the Gray Dawes Group...
Executive Travel will continue trading under its existing brand during a phased integration period before transitioning to Gray Dawes Travel. Clients will continue to work with their existing account teams while gaining access to the wider capabilities, technology and global support network of the Gray Dawes Group.
Related Articles
Inside the Business Travel Show Europe 2025
Held in the huge conference halls of ExCeL London, the Business Travel Show Europe 2025 was a sparkling celebration of the innovation within the industry, and we at Gray Dawes were proud to be at the beating heart of it all. In this article, we take you behind the scenes of the show, reflect on a few eye-opening days, and share how Gray Dawes continues to lead the way with our Always On approach to delivering High Touch, High Tech, and High Content service at every stage of a business trip.
Onwards and Upwards with ITA Airways
ITA Airways, Italy’s flagship carrier, has expanded significantly since we last spoke with them. They now operate as far east as Tokyo and as far west as San Francisco. In this article, we chat to ITA Airways about their integration with Lufthansa Group, their commitment to sustainable travel, their Volare points program, and much more.
Munich: A Business Traveller’s Guide
Situated just north of the soaring Alps, Munich has a colourful history stretching as far as the 12th Century. Back then, the city was little more than a tiny settlement of Catholic friars named zu den Munchen (“to the monks”). Today Munich is considered a major centre for science, technology, and automobile industries at the heart of one of the country’s richest states, with the city playing host to the headquarters of multinational companies including BMW and Siemens. In this comprehensive guide to Munich for business travellers, we delve deeper into navigating the city’s unique corporate landscape, offer our top tips for getting around, and pick out our top 3 things to see or do to make your trip unforgettable.