Sentio Insight has provided financial due diligence to Piper PE LLP for its £6m investment in Forthglade Foods Limited, the UK’s most established maker of natural pet food.
Forthglade has been making high quality, natural dog and cat food for over 40 years. Based in Devon, the business develops its own recipes using a combination of nutritionally balanced ingredients with added vitamins and minerals that contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Forthglade produces its range from its own manufacturing facility and is one of the most affordable premium brands on the market. Forthglade currently employs 75 staff with a turnover of more than £11m.
Piper, the leading specialist investor in consumer brands, is investing £6m to support the growth of the business, the sixth investment from its £107m, fifth fund.
Gerard Lovell and Chris Brooking are joint managing directors at Forthglade. Lovell built up and sold Jakemans, a family owned confectioners, while Brooking has held senior roles at Heinz and McVities.
Gerard Lovell said: “Although we were approached by other potential investors, from the very first meeting Piper has demonstrated the value it will bring to the table and has already had a significant impact on the business. It was this, combined with the team’s undeniable passion for creating brand legends that set Piper apart from its competitors.”
Financial due diligence was provided by Ian Robinson from Sentio Insight.
Rory Gibbs, of Piper, said: “We have used Ian Robinson on a number of our investments and we value the way that he unravels the business to help us understand its dynamics and commercial drivers. Being truly Partner led, Ian is able to give us real time, proactive and commercial advice.”
