CHAMP Ventures takes majority stake in Ansett Aviation Centre

The value of the transaction has not been disclosed. Margaret Jackson, formerly chairman of Quantas, has been brought in to perform the same role at Ansett. Both she and Robert Crook, general manager of the training facility, have equity in the business. CHAMP Ventures' Greg Smith and Melanie Strong will join the Ansett board.

Ansett claims to be the largest aviation training center in the southern hemisphere, with 11 full flight simulators, including an Airbus A320 and a Boeing 737, and cabin emergency evacuation trainer. Based near Melbourne's Tullamarine airport, the facility is regularly used by pilots from airlines such as Jetstar, Singapore's Tiger Airways, Papua New Guinea's Air Niugini and Australian domestic carrier Regional Express.

There are plans to expand the Melbourne training center and look at opportunities to set up bases throughout Australasia.

"We see a lot of growth potential and upside in the business the number of pilots that will be needed across the Asian region and we'll look to expand across Australia and up into Asia," Smith told The Wall Street Journal. "We're really looking forward to working with Ms. Jackson given her experience in the sector."

Prior to CHAMP Ventures' involvement, the company was owned by David Gilmour and Wayne Bos, who bought the business in the Ansett fire sale.

CHAMP Ventures Investments Trust No. 7 closed at A$475 million ($483 million) in late June despite a challenging fundraising environment. The vehicle, which launched in August 2010, was oversubscribed, having initially targeted A$450 million. It invests A$20-55 million in firms with enterprise valuations up to A$200 million.

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• Topics
• Australasia
• Buyouts
• Australia
• Logistics
• buyout
• CHAMP Ventures