A high-profile exhibition organiser has been bought by a private equity-backed rival.

Escape Events, which hosts the Adventure Travel Show and Olympia Historic Automobile Fair in London, has been taken over by Upper Street Events.

Based in Hartlip, near Sittingbourne, the business was founded by Martin Anslow, who sold part of the company once before in 2006 before buying it back in 2009.

Its new owner is supported by mid-market investor Livingbridge, which helped fund a management buyout of the firm in December 2014.

The company already runs 25 consumer shows and one trade event, including the Country Living, Language Show, London Art Fair and the Cycle Show.

It will keep Mr Anslow in the firm until December 2018. The value of the takeover has not been revealed.

Mr Anslow began his events career when he launched the Adventure Travel Show in 1995, selling it for a seven-figure sum after it grew to attract 30,000 visitors a year.

After an unsuccessful period investing on stock markets, he bought back the show three years later, having formed Escape Events to run cruise shows, of which it now has three.

Mr Anslow said: “After developing these events over eight years we wanted to ensure they continue to flourish.

“I think the ‘fit’ with Upper Street is an excellent one, and provides a springboard for new thinking and further growth.

“Upper Street and Escape Events both share a passion to present high quality consumer events which ‘go the extra mile’ and deliver real value for exhibitors and visitors and I am excited to be working with them into the future.”

Paul Byrom, managing director of Upper Street Events, said Escape shares “similar values, culture and a clear focus on delivering best in class passion-led events”.

He aims to use his company’s database and marketing platform to extend the reach of its new shows.

He said: “By attracting a mix of well-informed and knowledgeable, returning and new visitors, we can create even more vibrant and successful events, and we look forward to accelerating their growth.”