Corporate finance specialist Spayne Lindsay worked on the sale of Unilever-owned PG Tips

UK-based food and drink corporate finance specialist Spayne Lindsay has formed a partnership with US consumer-focused investment banking operation Sage Group. 

Sage and Spayne Lindsay will remain separately run and owned, but will work in a new partnership to create “a consumer advisory powerhouse with a global reach across the consumer sector”. 

The partnership will boast 50 investment banking professionals focused exclusively on the consumer sector.  

Together, the pair have completed over 300 transactions, worth tens of billions of dollars, across Europe and the US. 

Food and drink-focused Spayne Lindsay has recently worked on the acquisition of Unilever’s tea business by CVC, EAT’s sale to Pret, Oatly on its investment from Verlinvest and Quorn on its sale to Monde Nissin. 

Sage focused on the wider consumer industry, including fashion, beauty and personal care, health and wellness, DTC and speciality retail.  

“We have known Mark and the team at Sage for a number of years now, and we are very like minded,” said Tom Lindsay, founding partner of Spayne Lindsay.  

“Our adjacent areas of expertise within consumer are complementary, and we look forward to working together more closely. The Sage-Spayne Lindsay partnership allows clients to work with a truly independent global advisory firm with depth of knowledge across all sub-sectors of the consumer world. The partnership will enhance our capabilities both geographically and across many key consumer sectors.” 

Mark Vidergauz, CEO of The Sage Group added: “This relationship will provide our clients with access to even greater resources and expertise on a global scale.  

“Our partner-led teams deliver tailored advice based on deep industry knowledge, real-time market insights, and longstanding relationships with the most prominent strategic buyers and investment funds globally.” 

It is expected the partnership will see Spayne Lindsay benefit from Sage’s expertise in the US and its capabilities in advising premium consumer brands, while Sage will benefit from Spayne Lindsay’s knowledge of the European market and skill in working with food, beverage and restaurant businesses. 

In addition, the partnership will have access to an extensive international network of aligned firms in Asia, Central Europe, Africa, and Australasia.