SPEEDFERRIES are looking to press ahead with future expansion plans, as they announce that more than 20 per cent of the company is owned by leading travel industry figures.

David Crossland, who founded Airtours, now MyTravel, has become a SpeedFerries shareholder.

Under his tenure Airtours expanded dramatically to include travel brands such as Going Places, Direct Holidays, Late Escapes and Cresta.

Airtours floated on the London stock market in 1987 and at one point was the world’s biggest holiday business.

Making up the 20 per cent stake in the company is Alan Stewart, who has been a shareholder and supported the company since their start.

Mr Stewart is a former chief executive of Thomas Cook UK and chief finance officer with Flying Colours Leisure Group. He is currently group finance director at WH Smith.

SpeedFerries, chief executive, Curt Stavis, said: "We are delighted the investor group now includes these two high profiled personalities and we expect to benefit from their invaluable experience of the travel industry in connection with SpeedFerries’ future expansion plans."