Sector

Zip World is the award-winning outdoor adventure business which features the world’s fastest zip line.

Investment type
  • Management buyout
Quote mark

We are incredibly confident in the future of the adventure tourism industry and have ambitions to deliver Zip World’s iconic experiences to more customers and create more unique new attractions. LDC shares our enthusiasm and vision and we now have the additional capital and expertise needed to fire up our growth plans in Wales and beyond.”

Sean Taylor, Co-Founder
Zip World

Ambitious leaders

LDC backed Zip World’s ambitious management team, led by Co-founder Sean Taylor, Managing Director David Stacey and Chairman Giles Thorley. Thorley brings 25 years’ experience as an investor and strategic adviser to the leisure sector to the management team.

Immediate investment

The management team kick-started its growth strategy immediately following LDC’s investment, enhancing its existing sites with new rides such as Quarry Karts, the UK’s only mountain cart experience, and Titan 2, its new and improved quarry tour and zip lining experience, based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Snowdonia National Park.

UK expansion

In Spring 2021, Zip World launched a new site in South Wales, Zip World Tower. The site is its fourth adventure destination and is based at the old Tower Colliery site in the coal mining town of Hirwaun. It is home to Phoenix, the world’s fastest seated zip line, and the Tower Coaster which is the only ride of its kind in Europe, boasting a side-by-side kart.

Awards

Fastest growing consumer, wholesale and retail services firm

The Fast Growth 50 Wales 2023

Go Activity of the Year

Go North Wales 2019