Dez Derry, founder of specialist digital agency mmadigital, has taken a stake in luxury travel experience firm LeBlanq.
Derry also joins the advisory board of the gastro-cycling event firm that organises trips combining a love of cycling with fine dining in destinations across the world.
LeBlanq, which creates exclusive events for celebrity and entrepreneur clients under the tag line 鈥榬ide with legends, dine with greats鈥�, was founded in 2021 and gives access to cycling stars including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Sir Chris Hoy.
鈥淚 really believe the time is now for LeBlanq! It’s perfectly placed to capitalise on the massive rise in the popularity of cycling – it’s the new golf – and the more established sectors of fine dining and travel,鈥� said Derry.
鈥淎dd in the access to inspirational speakers and it’s a powerful combination with huge potential for international growth.
鈥淚 rate Justin and his team who are creating genuinely world-class experiences that are punchy on price.鈥�
Derry’s investment will support the firm’s growth plans to become a global player in the experiential travel market as it prepares for the second year of its Joyride Festival which launched in 2024, adding a wellness programme and live music (headlined by DJ, Pete Tong) to its Ibiza weekend event.
Derry鈥檚 company, mmadigital, later became Blume before selling to Sun Capital in 2022.
Justin Clarke, managing director at LeBlanq,聽 added: 鈥淟eBlanq is operating in an incredibly exciting and high-growth space right now, bringing together passions of health and wellness, food and travel that are relevant across the globe.聽
鈥淥ver 4 years we have honed our experiences to create events that are truly unique and we’ve found the sweet spot for our clients who want to indulge in culture and wellness and continue to expand their networks and push themselves.
鈥淒ez believes in what we are doing because he has experienced our trips and seen the care and attention that goes into making every trip incredible. We’re delighted to have him on board as we enter an exciting phase of growth for LeBlanq.鈥�
Derry is an investor in a number of businesses including Fletchers Group, which incorporates Blume; social-first travel company TravelSeen; and social media platform for combat sports Fight Division.
In October 2024, he spoke at 老九品茶Cloud’s FUEL Manchester event about his troubled childhood which saw him go into care at the age of four.聽