A&K Travel Group Ltd., the pioneering travel company owned by Geoffrey Kent and Heritage (the industrial holding company chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio), has acquired the luxury cruise vessels Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony.

The two ships will resume service in 2023 after undergoing extensive refurbishment and will operate under the award-winning “Crystal Cruises” brand that has also been acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd.

“I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart. Thirty-five years ago, my family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises, building three of the first purpose-built cruise ships, and 30 years ago my family pioneered a new way of cruising. Our goal was to deliver the best experience, pampering guests from all over the world with around-the-clock butler service and extraordinary culinary experiences. Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice. Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd., Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent.

Brief Description:

In the extraordinary general meeting held on August 31, 2021, Centricus Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: CENH, CENHW, CENHU) shareholders voted to approve its proposed business combination with Arqit Quantum Inc (Nasdaq: ARQQ, ARQQW).

About Centricus Acquisition Corp.

Centricus Acquisition Corp., chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, raised $345 million in its IPO in February 2021, which was upsized due to strong demand and included the underwriters’ full over-allotment option. Centricus Acquisition Corp. was founded by the Monaco-based investment group Heritage, the London-based global investment firm Centricus, and Carlo Calabria.

About Arqit

Arqit supplies a unique quantum encryption Platform-as-a-Service which makes the communications links of any networked device secure against current and future forms of attack – even from a quantum computer. Arqit’s product, QuantumCloud™, enables any device to download a lightweight software agent of less than 200 lines of code, which can create keys in partnership with any other device. The keys are computationally secure, don’t exist until the moment they are needed and can never be known by a third party. QuantumCloud™ can create limitless volumes of keys in limitless group sizes and can regulate the secure entrance and exit of a device in a group. The addressable market for QuantumCloud™ is every connected device.

After successfully taking care of the start-up phase, Heritage sold its participation in July 2021

Heritage, Centricus and Carlo Calabria partnered to form a SPAC that raised $300 million by offering 30 million units at $10. The company offered 5 million more units than anticipated. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one-fourth of a warrant, exercisable at $11.50.

• Led by a management team with vast and complementary experience executing transactions across a variety of industries, regions and business cycles
• Supported by world-class investment teams with the capabilities and proven track record to evaluate, diligence and execute transactions
• Target niche and differentiated international universe of opportunities (disruptors, PE-owned, family founded, divestitures)
  • Entertainment / Hospitality / Consumer
  • Infrastructure
  • Opportunistic
• Target attributes / criteria:
  • Attractive industries with large and growing markets that support a compelling growth story
  • Defensible core business, sustainable revenue, and established customer relationships
  • Strong product capabilities with attractive value proposition to customers
  • Capable, talented, public-ready management teams who are experts in their industries
  • Company that is well-positioned for entrance into the public markets

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman

Garth Ritchie, CEO & Director

Heritage has sold the remaining 33.3% stake on Silversea Cruises to Royal Caribbean in exchange for 5.2 million shares of Royal Caribbean Group common stock, which represents about 2.5% of the total common stock.

Heritage Group made a major investment in Bucksense Inc. The company works with brands all over the world to bring their digital marketing in house and regain control of their plan, activity, budget and data.

Heritage Group acquired 90% of Abercrombie & Kent in partnership with the Company’s founder and chairman, Geoffrey Kent.

Abercrombie & Kent is a luxury travel company founded in 1962, offering over 250 small group and tailor made itineraries to more than 100 countries across all continents.

Heritage launched/founded Orbital Solutions Monaco.

Strategic partnership with Royal Caribbean for the sale of a 66.7% in Silversea for 18x EBITDA at an EV in excess of $2bn.