UK aviation group 2Excel has refinanced with the backing of new partner Signal Capital Partners. The announcement comes as 2Excel prepares to mark its 15th anniversary of operations in May 2021.

Created as a commercial aerobatic operator, 2Excel has expanded into providing contract air services for the UK government, the oil and defence industries as well as VIP charter flights and complex aerospace engineering. As a result, the business has grown from five people and four aircraft at launch to today's 200-plus employees and 28 aircraft.

Co-founders Andy Offer and Chris Norton say: “We begin 2021 with extremely solid foundations and with a plethora of opportunities. Signal Capital Partners are the right partner for us, and this agreement will super-charge our growth, allowing us to make the most of these opportunities. While the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly affected some of our business lines, our policy of diversification provides resilience in unforeseen circumstances and has allowed us to survive and thrive even through this crisis. 2Excel remains uniquely positioned thanks to our suite of approvals, our credibility with the regulator and our control of our third-party risks.

“Our workforce has pulled together to deliver our operational plans and, through that collective and cohesive effort, this financial success. We look forward to the future in partnership with Signal.”