American Express to acquire Hogg Robinson Group

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has unveiled plans to acquire Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) PLC, a global B2B services company specialising in travel management, in a recommended all-cash acquisition of the entire issued, and to be issued, ordinary share capital.

The acquisition is conditioned on receipt of antitrust and other regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018.

American Express GBT Chief Executive Officer Doug Anderson said: “The complementary geographical footprints of each company will improve the global scale and reach of our business, enabling us to achieve efficiencies across a best-in-class platform and accelerate growth. The technology roadmaps of each business provide a powerful platform from which to drive future innovation. We will deliver a superior client and traveller experience through fully-integrated travel management solutions, including booking and expense management products.”

HRG Chief Executive Officer David Radcliffe said: “This transaction represents a good deal for shareholders and stakeholders. I am particularly excited and heartened by American Express GBT’s reassurance that it will be utilising the best talent and technology from within both organisations to create a truly world-class, leading-edge organisation, which will bring benefits to our clients, colleagues and supplier partners alike.”