CMAC acquires significant stake in comparison website

Accrington's CMAC Group has acquired a 51 per cent stake in online travel quotes website Coach Hire Comparison.

Coach Hire Comparison was founded in 2010. Offering prices from around 300 minibus and coach operators across the UK, the website attracts 12,000 business and consumer users each month.

CMAC will integrate Coach Hire Comparison into its existing business, utilising existing resources and technology to accelerate growth in the UK whilst supporting CMAC Group’s international expansion plans.

Coach Hire Comparison’s two-person team, James and Laura Stokes, will remain at the helm of the coach price comparison and booking website.

James Stokes, joint managing director of Coach Hire Comparison, said: “We’re excited to join forces with CMAC Group, doing so allows us to accelerate our growth and continue to develop our bespoke booking platform to further enhance the experience for both customers and coach operators.”

Peter Slater, CEO of CMAC Group, added: “We’re pleased to welcome Coach Hire Comparison’s team, James and Laura, into the CMAC Group. This strategic move aligns with our vision for growth and strengthens our position in the market.”

The acquisition follows a period of continued growth for CMAC Group, with the business reporting a 45 per cent increase in revenue and 7 per cent headcount growth in 2022, in a year which saw the firm transport more than 2.5 million travellers.