Tristar

In 1978, a new venture called Tristar Worldwide was founded, initially to provide dedicated chauffeur services for Virgin Atlantic's business class passengers. This foundation in the premium travel sector set the stage for its future. The business focused on providing reliable, high-end ground transportation for airline and corporate clients, establishing a strong reputation in the luxury market. A key moment came in 2008 when Dean De Beer led a management buyout, taking ownership and steering the company toward significant growth. Under this new leadership, Tristar expanded its global footprint. A pivotal move was the 2012 acquisition of M7 Worldwide Transportation, a U.S.-based company in the same premium market, which greatly strengthened Tristar's presence in North America. By 2016, Tristar had grown into a major international player with operations across Europe, North America, and Asia. This success attracted the attention of Addison Lee, a major European private hire company, which acquired Tristar in June 2016 for approximately £30 million. The deal was designed to create Europe's largest executive car service and give Addison Lee a global reach. The Tristar brand was eventually merged into the Addison Lee operation in September 2020.