Plain sailing
City Cruises, a leading tour boat operator on the Thames and beyond, provide leisure trips for over four million passengers every year. As they continually grow and evolve City Cruises has always turned to WMT to help keep them on track and support them through substantial change. An established client, City Cruises has trusted WMT’s “invaluable” expertise for more than 25 years.
An established relationship
City Cruises is the leading tour boat operator in London, providing sightseeing and circular tours, jet boat tours, dining cruises and parties for more than four million passengers every year. They also offer boat trips around Poole harbour and to Swanage as part of their tourist fleet and own the floating restaurant ship, Hispaniola, on the Embankment.
The business was founded by Gary and Rita Beckwith forty years ago with a floating fuel barge on the Thames. Their business grew through acquisition, innovation and investment – building the first new sightseeing boat in London for 25 years in 1996 and launching a fleet of four new boats in 2000 to capitalise on the new attractions lining the River Thames. Joined in the business by their son Matthew and daughter Lucy, City Cruises’ growth continued resulting in the Coutts Prize for Family Business in 2010.
With ambitious plans for investment in the future and an excellent standing in London’s tourism market, Gary and Rita recognised the need for experienced management for its next stage of growth, appointing Kyle Haughton as Managing Director in 2011, supported by Matthew as Board Director. Kyle brought a new perspective to the business and built a talented, skilled and committed management board to continue the City Cruises’ successful journey.
The founding members of this family business are dedicated to their industry – and, indeed, Rita has been awarded an OBE for her services to tourism. They actively seek to grow and develop the business in an increasingly competitive market.
Continued support
A long-standing client, City Cruises have been with WMT for more than a quarter of a century. During this time WMT have supported the business with their audit, accounts, advisory and both corporate and personal tax needs.
The management team sought WMT’s support to achieve consistent stability in their business growth. WMT’s established relationship gives them insight into the business’s past, present and future, providing the best possible understanding of both City Cruises’ business and personal goals and ambitions. This allows the management team to focus on growing the business, with the peace of mind that they are both compliant and well advised.
As a family run entity, planning for the next generation is key to the company’s future. WMT’s experienced business and tax advisors guide them through this process, to help ensure any transition will be seamless.
Growing and keeping on track
Our specialist advisory team has assisted with a number of transactions and supported the integration of new businesses and ventures into the City Cruises group.
Our professional expertise in the Hospitality and Leisure sector compliment City Cruises’ core business activities and allow us to offer sound advice specific to the sector in which they operate.
The management team regularly attend and provide input to WMT’s Business and Finance Club events, taking time out of working in their business to spend time working on it, amongst the company of other business owners and like-minded entrepreneurs.
Freedom to be entrepreneurial
The relationship between City Cruises and WMT speaks for itself. WMT is honoured to have been trusted by City Cruises for such a long period of time, and to have assisted in the continued expansion of the business. On a day-to-day basis, City Cruises can relax in the knowledge that their audit, accounts, tax and financial management consultancy requirements are in good hands.
Our client says…
‘City Cruises has always turned to WMT for financial advice and guidance to ensure that we are compliant with legislation, to seek advice about company structure, to help us with company acquisitions and sales, to consult on family issues and much, much more.
Our relationship with their Partners has existed for many years and their knowledge of our business and our people is invaluable to ensure we have a thorough audit, receive the right advice on all financial matters and make the right plans for the future. They are a pleasure to work with.’
Our relationship with their Partners has existed for many years and their knowledge of our business and our people is invaluable to ensure we have a thorough audit, receive the right advice on all financial matters and make the right plans for the future. They are a pleasure to work with.
