Addison Lee
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 in Battersea, London |
| Founder | John Griffin |
| Headquarters | London, W2 United Kingdom |
Area served | Greater London |
Key people | Liam Griffin, CEO |
| Services | Minicab, Courier, Motorcycle taxi |
| Revenue | £346 million (2017) |
| Website | addisonlee.com |
Addison Lee is a British private hire car and courier company headquartered in London, England. The company was founded in 1975 by John Griffin. It has become one of London’s largest private hire companies, handling millions of rides annually.
Founding
[edit]The company was established in 1975 by John Griffin initially under the name Pacecroft Limited[1] Griffin chose the name "Addison Lee" because he believed that a company name starting with "A" would increase visibility in telephone directory listings. The name "Addison" was suggested by a colleague who lived in Addison Gardens, a London area considered prestigious at the time. The company’s ownership was initially split between Griffin and investor Lenny Foster.
[1] "Companies House Addison Lee Limited - Overview". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2017
[2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22230868
Currently
[edit]As of 2024, Addison Lee operates a fleet of approximately 5,000 vehicles[1] and generates annual revenues exceeding £500 million. The company completes more than 2 million individual rides and courier deliveries each year.
Addison Lee has been recognised for its operational standards, achieving ISO 9002 and receiving accreditation from the Investors in People programme.
History
[edit]Takeover
[edit]In October 2024, it was announced that ComfortDelGro, a multi-national transport group based in Singapore, acquired Addison Lee for £269.1m.[2]
In April 2020, the Carlyle Group sold Addison Lee back to Liam Griffin, who returned as CEO to lead the company through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In April 2013 the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, purchased the company for an undisclosed sum, reported to be £300m. John Griffin initially remained as chairman with son Liam Griffin replacing Daryl Foster as CEO. The Carlyle Group intended to grow the firm nationally and internationally.[3]
John Griffin departs, new senior hires
[edit]During 2014 Addison Lee announced several senior hires including Peter Boucher (CCO), Catherine Faiers (Ops Director), Gary Cust (Chief Council), Nick Kotsis (Data Scientist) and Nick Constantinou (Head of Marketing).[4] In media interviews in October 2014 it was announced that founder John Griffin had stepped down earlier that year and is no longer involved with the company.[5]
Technology
[edit]Addison Lee incorporates advanced technology to manage its fleet and operations, using driver PDAs, GPS tracking and text messaging for efficiency.
The company’s focus on reducing emissions was recognised with it won the "Best Large Private Sector Fleet" award at the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards 2011.[6]Addison Lee participates in the "Green500" initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions across London.
Addison Lee’s software platform, developed in partnership with Haulmont Technology, has been applied in other industries. For example, the company’s technology was used by JBW, an enforcement agency.[7]
[1] https://blog.infinitecab.com/review-addison-lee-taxi-service-company-london/
[2] https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/2011/11/24/fleet-hero-2011-awards-winners-announced/41544/
[3] https://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/0/F160B91655FD1C808025753700440F88
Controversy
[edit]In April 2012, Addison Lee's chairman John Griffin instructed all of its drivers to begin using bus lanes, against the will of Transport for London. Griffin argued that allowing only licensed black taxis to use the lanes was "unfair discrimination". Griffin also secured a judicial review against Hackney Carriage legislation saying it was archaic.
John Griffin said the firm would "indemnify any fines or payments" that the firm's drivers would incur. In April 2012 the High Court ruled that Addison Lee could not encourage or instruct its drivers to use bus lanes.[8]
In the April 2012 edition of Addison Lee's corporate magazine Add Lib,[9] John Griffin used his editorial piece to voice his opinion that collisions with cyclists were unavoidable, and not the fault of his drivers. He concluded: "It is time for us to say to cyclists, ‘You want to join our gang, get trained and pay up’."[10] This has caused a reaction from London's cycling community, including the London Cycling Campaign, CTC, Levenes Cycle and the London Fixed-Gear and Single-Speed forum, who have started taking action boycotting Addison Lee cabs by leaving negative reviews on the company's iPhone app, organizing protests, and calling for people to lobby their companies to stop their Addison Lee accounts.[11][12]
Dr. Belinda Web started an e-petition with HM Government to have Addison Lee's license withdrawn.[13] This caused a reaction from London's cycling community, including the London Cycling Campaign.
On 26 April 2012, the Chief Procurement Officer confirmed that the UK Government (OP71) contract with Addison Lee would be terminated at the end of April 2012.[14]
In 2015, following reports that a small number of Addison Lee drivers had kicked same-sex couples out of their cars, the company introduced a diploma for its drivers, which includes equality training.[15]
In September 2017, Addison Lee lost a tribunal case brought by Leigh Day, which sought to grant employees rights such as the minimum wage and holiday pay.[16]
Accessibility
[edit]In October 2015, Addison Lee introduced CycleCab, a service allowing up to two passengers to travel in a cab with one bicycle.[17]
Former operations
[edit]Between July 2006 and April 2013, Addison Lee operated the Redwing Coaches business.[18][19][20][21]
References
[edit]- ^ "Companies House Addison Lee Limited - Overview". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ Lun, Tan Nai (23 October 2024). "ComfortDelGro to acquire UK private hire, black cab provider for £269.1 million". The Business Times. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
- ^ "London minicab firm Addison Lee sold for £300m". BBC News. 20 April 2013.
- ^ Mortimer, Natalie (29 September 2014). "Addison Lee hires Nick Constantinou as head of marketing and product innovation as international expansion ramps up". The Drum.
- ^ Lea, Robert (27 September 2014). "The manifesto: Addison Lee sets sat-nav for New York and beyond". The Times.
- ^ "Fleet Hero Awards 2011". Energy Saving Trust. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ "JBW Group chooses Haulmont Technology for new enforcement control system". Fleet Industry News. Bauer Consumer Media Ltd. 17 February 2011.
- ^ "TfL's High Court injunction prevents Addison Lee from instructing its drivers to use bus lanes". TfL. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ "AddLib - Addison Lee news and promotions". Addison Lee. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ MacMichael, Simon (19 April 2012). "Addison Lee chairman provokes controversy with his views on London cyclist deaths". road.cc.
- ^ Burgess, Kaya (20 April 2012). "Minicab chief: cyclists have to expect to be hurt on roads". The Times.
- ^ Walker, Peter (20 April 2012). "Addison Lee minicab boss's criticism of cyclists angers bike lobby". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Petition: Withdraw Addison Lee's license". UK Government and Parliament. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ Mulholland, Helene (27 April 2012). "Addison Lee loses government contract". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Addison Lee introduces equality training for its drivers". Dial2Donate. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
- ^ "UK tribunal rules group of Addison Lee drivers deserve workers' rights". Reuters.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ Nigel Wynn (7 October 2015). "London taxi firm Addison Lee offers cabs for cyclists and their bikes". cyclingweekly.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Addison Lee acquires Redwing Fleet News 24 July 2006
- ^ Addison Lee acquires Redwing Coaches Acquisitions Monthly October 2006
- ^ Redwing Coaches Bus & Coach Buyer 17 August 2015
- ^ Redwing purchases Reliance[permanent dead link] RouteOne 3 June 2015