RJD partners has backed the management buy-in of Dunham Leisure.

Private equity firm RJD partners has backed the management buy-in of Dunham Leisure from the founding Dunham family.

Yorkshire Bank Corporate & Structured Finance is providing over £8.5 million in senior debt and other facilities to support the deal.

Dunham operates two Scottish holiday parks, Pease Bay and Thurston Manor. The parks cater for caravan and camping holidays as well as having a range of holiday homes.

Under the terms of the deal Graham Hodgson will take over as chief executive and Bev Dixon will become operations director. The new team succeed Andrew and Simon Dunham whose father founded the business in 1991 with the acquisition of Thurston Manor.


Guy Taylor, director with Yorkshire Bank Corporate & Structured Finance in Manchester led the deal with associate director Jon Hall.

Taylor comments: ‘The buy-and-build strategy the team have in place will take advantage of good opportunities in this highly fragmented sector.’


Frank Bulman, investment director at RJD Partners, adds: ‘The Dunham parks are well established but nevertheless offer significant development potential and represent an excellent platform for further park acquisition opportunities.’