Our History

Gray Dawes boasts a long and interesting history and in 2012 will celebrate 85 years as a travel management company.

Originally a shipping and insurance business, Gray Dawes was founded in 1865 by Scottish entrepreneur Archibald Gray and partner Edwin Sandys Dawes.

The company was established as a travel agency in 1927 when, in conjunction with Imperial Airways, it sold the first tickets on the commercial route from London to Cairo and Karachi. Another first was to follow in 1946 when Gray Dawes received its IATA (International Air Transport Association) ticketing licence.

Messrs. Gray and Dawes were founding members of the Inchcape Group and the company became one of two principal subsidiaries of the Group in 1958.

A management buyout in 1988 transformed Gray Dawes into one of the UK's leading independent travel agencies, a status it has maintained to this day.

The Inchcape link was renewed in 1997 when the Inchcape family re-entered the business and today Inchcape Family Estates are the owners of Gray Dawes Travel.

"The Inchcape family is very proud of its association with Gray Dawes and its success over the years and 2012 will mark yet another important milestone in the company's history, when it celebrates 85 years as a travel management company. By successfully combining its traditional values with modern and innovative thinking, Gray Dawes continues to ensure that it meets the needs of its clients in an ever-changing and demanding business travel market place."

Lord Inchcape, Chairman

Read more about the 1st Earl of Inchcape...