Silversea Cruises founder Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio has agreed a takeover deal for cruise operator Abercrombie & Kent (A&K).
The shipowner's private investment company Heritage Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Geoffrey Kent, A&K founder and chief executive, to buy 100% of the company.
Heritage will own 85% and Kent 15%.
Kent will continue as chairman and CEO of the operating company, while Lefebvre will become chairman of Abercrombie & Kent Holding.
Lefebvre and Kent are reportedly buying out Zhonghong Holding, a real estate and tourism developer.
The new partners declined to disclose the value of the deal.
Zhonghong had taken a 90.5% stake in A&K for $412.5m in 2017, according to Reuters.
Old friends reunited
"This union brings together two visionaries in luxury travel to further develop Abercrombie & Kent as the premier brand in luxury and experiential travel," the two sides said.
Kent created the first luxury tented photographic safaris in 1962 in Kenya.
Lefebvre last year sold 66% in Silversea to Royal Caribbean.
The A&K deal is described as a separate and unique investment by Heritage, and does not involve Silversea.
Kent and Lefebvre have known each other for more than 20 years and have also been business partners, having acquired a cruiseship in 1992.
"Abercrombie & Kent is the finest luxury travel company in the world, and I am honoured to be able to partner with Geoffrey Kent to help this remarkable company continue its record growth," said Lefebvre.
Kent added: "I am very excited to be working with Manfredi. I cannot think of a better or more experienced partner for the next phase of A&K's growth."
