Carlyle : Global Credit to provide financing to Big Bus Tours

London, UK - Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that its Global Credit platform has provided a one-stop shop financing package to support the growth of Big Bus Tours, the leading global provider of hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tours, with more than 5 million customers annually.

Big Bus Tours is the world's largest operator of open-top sightseeing bus tours with operations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The Company has expanded to more than 20 world famous city destinations where it provides a sightseeing experience which has become a key part of any traveler's repertoire when discovering a new city. In 2023, the Company partnered with Equipmake, the engineering specialist, to convert a portion of its existing fleet from diesel to fully electric, demonstrating its continued commitment to sustainable tourism. Exponent, a leading European private equity firm, acquired Big Bus Tours in 2015.

Carlyle Global Credit manages $186 billion in assets under management, as of March 31, 2024. It regularly pursues investments in privately negotiated debt and capital solutions partnering with high-quality sponsors and leading family or entrepreneur-owned companies.

Taj Sidhu, Head of Carlyle European and Asian Private Credit, said: "We are delighted to partner with the exceptional management team at Big Bus Tours, as the business continues to expand its industry leading offering across major worldwide destinations. This transaction underlines our ability to provide flexible capital solutions of scale and support the growth aspirations of strong and resilient businesses."

Pat Waterman, Executive Chairman of Big Bus Tours, said: "Big Bus Tours is a leading experience provider in the tourism and leisure industry. Financing from Carlyle Global Credit will accelerate our international footprint expansion and our development in adjacent, synergistic activities. We are delighted to have the support of a sophisticated partner such as Carlyle as we enter this important next phase of growth."

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About Carlyle

Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Global Investment Solutions. With $425 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2024, Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,200 people in 28 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.