Etihad Airways has acquired shares in Abu Dhabi-based joint venture Armaguard Valuables Management, becoming the sole owner and renaming it Etihad Secure Logistics Services.

In the six years since it began operations, AVM has grown from a start-up to become a major player in the UAE secure logistics and valuables management market.

Gary Allen, CEO of Armaguard Linfox Group says as the company focuses on business in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, it will withdraw from the UAE.

He says: “Etihad and Armaguard have shared a long history of working together to provide the best solutions for our customers.  We will continue as a strong network alliance, servicing the global valuables market. We will continue to work together to ensure a seamless transition for our customers.”

Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, managing director cargo and logistics services at Etihad Aviation Group says: “We would like to express our gratitude to Linfox Armaguard for their partnership and support these past years. We are now in a position, with Etihad Secure Logistics operating as a wholly Etihad-owned business, to better support the home market in its next phase of growth and development.”

Etihad has appointed Vincent Hampton as managing director of Etihad Secure Logistics.

Hampton brings a wealth of experience as a management and security specialist, having held various roles with the US Air Force and US Department of State in Abu Dhabi, and a decade of leadership roles in security consulting within the UAE private sector.