Now we‘ll take Zip World to next level
ZIP World is set to go to the “nextext level” after the investment arm ofof Lloyds took a minority stake in the adventure business.
The company has grown rapidly since launching its first superfast zip line at Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda in 2013 – and now employs 450 workers.
Now Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) have bought out two of the shareholders and will provide a cash injection and additional expertise to expand the business further. The deal values the business at £45m.
Founder Sean Taylor has kept his holding in the business and will continue to lead the adventure firm as it expands its North Wales attractions and looks at opportunities outside the region.
He told our sister paper the Daily Post: “This can take us to the next level. It is a good news story as despite what is going on in the country we are going to keep paddling our canoe.”
The business now runs adventure activities from three locations, Bethesda, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed – bringing much needed work to these communities.
LDC’s investment will support Zip World’s ongoing growth strategy as it looks to add new attractions to its current sites and roll out its adventure experiences across the UK and beyond. It is backing Zip World’s ambitious management team, led by co-founder, Sean Taylor, and managing director David Stacey.
Sean added: “Having built an exciting brand in the adventure tourism sector, we are focused on scaling up and will be looking to acquire additional sites as part of our ongoing expansion strategy.
“We are incredibly confident in the future of the adventure tourism industry and have ambitions to deliver Zip World’s iconic experiences to more customers and create more unique new attractions.
“LDC shares our enthusiasm and vision and we now have the additional capital and expertise needed to fire up our growth plans in Wales and beyond.”
Despite the business going from zero to £45m in six years, Sean says his feet remain firmly on the ground and all his money has remained in the business.
The former Royal Marine said: “I have stayed the same, I don’t change. I don’t really look back and sit there on a chair with a cigar, I always keep going forward.