THE Southampton office of private equity firm LDC has funded the multi-million-pound management buyout of Airclaims, a London-based international provider of loss-adjusting, information and consultancy services to the aviation industry.

The business has been bought from the UK and French insurance companies British Aviation Insurance and La Reunion Aerienne by an 11- strong management team.

Alex Bowden, investment director at LDC in Southampton, said: "This is a very strong investment for LDC. Airclaims is the leading provider in a growth market where there is room for significant expansion."

Airclaims provides aviation consultancy, aircraft valuations and claims management services to the global aerospace industry. It has also developed a significant information business including the CASE Aviation Database, the world's most comprehensive and accurate source of up-to-date technical data, ownership details and full histories on more than 90,000 commercial aircraft around the globe.

Airclaims' products and services are used by major airlines, airports, insurance brokers and underwriters, the financial community, regulators and manufacturers for accurate information and trusted advice, with many of the services designed to assist in the management and protection of aircraft assets.

Founded in 1964, the business employs 80 people at its Heathrow Airport base with a total of a 140 across its global offices.