The deal
Paladone, the UK’s market-leading designer and supplier of gift products for global brands, is set to expand further into the North American market and beyond following the introduction of a new PE investor in a deal guided by FRP’s Corporate Finance team.
The company will now look to build new international partnerships and strengthen existing markets with the support of Canadian PE investor IVEST Consumer Partners, following a secondary management buy-out.
Paladone is headquartered in Brighton and employs 140 people across offices in the UK, Los Angeles and Hong Kong. It has extensive strategic licensing partnerships with global brands including Walt Disney, Warner Brothers and PlayStation and Nintendo, alongside its own-label brands.
Our Corporate Finance team had previously advised the company on its sale to mid-market PE investor LDC, leading to a three-year partnership that saw the business develop into a global omni-channel consumer products company. During this time the business had grown revenues by more than 65%, and was exporting to more than 80 countries worldwide.
In 2021, Paladone’s management once again appointed our Corporate Finance team to support them through the exit of LDC – and an investment by IVEST Consumer Partners – as part of a secondary management buy-out.
Our team, led by Corporate Finance Partners Simon Davies and Clive Hatchard with support from Senior Manager Ben Lowe, advised Paladone’s management on their reinvestment throughout the transaction and through to completion.
With the backing of IVEST, and management shareholders now fully reinvested into the business, Paladone can continue on its international growth journey, establishing new online channels, deepening relationships with existing retailers and winning new global licences.
Deal summary
Date:
November 2021
Sector:
Consumer, Retail & Leisure
Deal type:
Management Advisory
Deal size:
Undisclosed