Livingbridge is preparing a potential exit from Loveholidays through a stock market listing that could value the online travel agent at over £1bn, according to a Sky News report.

The private equity firm, which has owned Loveholidays since 2018, has appointed Rothschild to advise on the IPO. Rothschild is expected to coordinate the selection of additional investment banks in the coming weeks. The timing of the listing remains undecided.

Founded in 2012, Loveholidays has become one of the UK’s largest online travel agents, specialising in package holidays to the Mediterranean and Canary Islands. The company offers more than 500 billion potential combinations through an inventory of 35,000 hotels and 99% of global flights.

The business has rebounded strongly from the COVID-19 downturn, with pre-tax profits rising 20% to £67.6m on revenues of £284m in the year to October 2024.

Last year, CVC Capital Partners and other potential bidders explored a controlling stake acquisition in the company. When the process was shelved, a possible minority stake sale was also considered.

The move adds to a recent uptick in private equity-backed IPO activity despite a subdued first half for London listings.

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