Duke Street: Inspiring the Ambitious

Consumer / We have extensive experience of investing in the consumer sector, where we look to support companies with strong brands serving consumers across multiple channels. We are not afraid of complex deals, if we can see an opportunity to achieve swift growth through rapid roll-out of brands or consolidation. We have established a strong reputation in the gaming sector through our investment in companies such as Gala Bingo, Sporting Index and Leisure Link and continue to seek opportunities in this market. In the leisure sector we have invested successfully in both niche hotel operators and fitness and leisure businesses. Two of our current investments – SandpiperCI and The Original Factory Shop – display our willingness to back retail management teams with ambitious growth plans, even at a time when the sector as a whole is experiencing tough trading.

In addition to our investments in consumer service companies, we also have a wealth of experience of working with management teams manufacturing consumer goods, particularly food.

At Simple we backed an ambitious growth plan to grow the business to become the UK’s leading female skin care provider by volume, and no2 by value; overtaking companies such as Nivea, Olay and L’Oreal in the process.