Addison Lee
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Company type | Private |
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| Headquarters | London, W2 United Kingdom |
Area served | Greater London |
Key people | Liam Griffin, CEO |
| Services | Minicab, Courier, Motorcycle taxi |
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| Website | addisonlee.com |
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Addison Lee is a British private hire car and courier company headquartered in London, England. Founded in 1975 by John Griffin, the company has become the UK's largest premium private hire and courier service provider. In 2024, Addison Lee was acquired by ComfortDelGro, a multinational transport group based in Singapore.
Addison Lee serves a wide range of sectors, such as legal, financial, and media production industries. Its core offerings include private hire vehicles, black taxis, airport transfers, event transport solutions, and same-day courier deliveries, all of which can be booked via mobile app, website, or phone.
Drivers at Addison Lee are self-employed and have access to hybrid vehicles. The company offers competitive rental rates, onboarding benefits, and flexible options, including zero-rent opportunities, designed to support drivers' independence and success.
History
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.[2]
In April 2013 the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, purchased the company for an undisclosed sum, reported to be £348m. Liam Griffin replaced Daryl Foster as CEO. The Carlyle Group intended to grow the firm nationally and internationally.[2] During 2014 Addison Lee announced that founder John Griffin had stepped down earlier that year and is no longer involved with the company.
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 October 2024, it was announced that ComfortDelGro, a multi-national transport group based in Singapore, acquired Addison Lee for £269.1m.[3]
Current Operations
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.
Acquisitions
In 2021, Addison Lee acquired black taxi operator ComCab London, making it the largest private hire and taxi company in London.[4]
In 2023, Addison Lee acquired London-based private hire fleet operator Green Tomato Cars,[5] an acquisition that followed their 2021 commitment to fully electric operations.[6]
Technology
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.[7] 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.[8]
Accessibility
In October 2015, Addison Lee introduced CycleCab, a service allowing up to two passengers to travel in a cab with one bicycle.[9]
Controversies
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.[10]
In the April 2012 edition of Addison Lee's corporate magazine Add Lib,[11] 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’."[12] 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.[13][14]
Dr. Belinda Web started an e-petition with HM Government to have Addison Lee's license withdrawn.[15] 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.[16]
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.[17]
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.[18]
Former operations
Between July 2006 and April 2013, Addison Lee operated the Redwing Coaches business.[19][20][21][22]
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Companies House Addison Lee Limited - Overview". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
- ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."London minicab firm Addison Lee sold for £300m". BBC News. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.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.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Prez, Matt De. "Addison Lee becomes London's largest taxi firm with ComCab acquisition". www.fleetnews.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Roberts, Gareth. "Green Tomato Cars bought by Addison Lee". www.fleetnews.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Roberts, Gareth. "Addison Lee plans £160m switch to fully electric fleet". www.fleetnews.co.uk. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Fleet Hero Awards 2011". Energy Saving Trust. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."JBW Group chooses Haulmont Technology for new enforcement control system". Fleet Industry News. Bauer Consumer Media Ltd. 17 February 2011.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Nigel Wynn (7 October 2015). "London taxi firm Addison Lee offers cabs for cyclists and their bikes". cyclingweekly.com. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."TfL's High Court injunction prevents Addison Lee from instructing its drivers to use bus lanes". TfL. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."AddLib - Addison Lee news and promotions". Addison Lee. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.MacMichael, Simon (19 April 2012). "Addison Lee chairman provokes controversy with his views on London cyclist deaths". road.cc.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Burgess, Kaya (20 April 2012). "Minicab chief: cyclists have to expect to be hurt on roads". The Times.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Walker, Peter (20 April 2012). "Addison Lee minicab boss's criticism of cyclists angers bike lobby". The Guardian. London.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Petition: Withdraw Addison Lee's license". UK Government and Parliament. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Mulholland, Helene (27 April 2012). "Addison Lee loses government contract". The Guardian. London.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Addison Lee introduces equality training for its drivers". Dial2Donate. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."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.
- ^ 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
