Hermes backs Symington’s buy-in

Symington’s, a UK food producer best known for a brand named after celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott, has been bought in a management buy-in backed by Hermes Private Equity. The deal is reportedly worth some £40m (€57m).

Symington’s has a number of brands including Ainsley Harriott, Mugshots and Symington’s itself. These brands, as well as a number of retail own labels, are focused on the ambient foods sector, which consists of instant soup, rice, dried pasta, cous cous and hot snacks, among others.

According to the company, it has been successful in increasing its brands market share in the UK and its future strategy is to build further on this platform. It has a manufacturing facility located in Leeds with substantial spare capacity.

The acquisition vehicle, BPG Acquisitions, is led by former Arla Foods directors David Salkeld and Henrik Nygaard Pade and funded by Hermes and Yorkshire Bank.

Law firm Addleshaw Goddard acted for the buy-in team. Hammonds advised Yorkshire Bank, Linklaters advised Hermes Private Equity, and Pinsents advised Symington’s management team and vendors.