European mid-market private equity firm Duke Street Capital has appointed Drummond Hall to its team of operating partners, building on his board-level expertise in consumer-facing business
European mid-market private equity firm Duke Street Capital has appointed Drummond Hall to its team of operating partners, building on his board-level expertise in consumer-facing businesses to assist the firm with deal origination, due diligence and the monitoring of portfolio investments.
Over a 36-year career, Hall has held senior roles at various UK consumer companies and is currently deputy chairman of Mitchells & Butlers, an operator of pubs, bars and pub restaurants of which he is due to become chairman on June 20. He is also a non-executive director of market information company Taylor Nelson Sofres.
Previously Hall spent 15 years as a director at Dairy Crest Group, a producer of chilled dairy foods, including four years as chief executive between 2002 and 2006, helping to transform the business from a milk marketer into a branded food supplier and leading the company through an IPO. He worked earlier for cider and beer manufacturer HP Bulmer, PepsiCo, Pedigree Petfoods and Procter & Gamble.
‘We are delighted to welcome Drummond as an operating partner,’ says Duke Street partner Buchan Scott. ‘Given that the consumer sector is one of our core areas of focus, his expertise across all aspects of the industry will be invaluable as we continue to source high quality businesses in which to invest.
‘Few management executives could rival his experience in branded and private label consumer businesses, as well as in managing complex supply chains and business transformation. We have already considered several transactions together, and look forward to developing a rewarding partnership.’
Adds Hall: ‘Having worked with Duke Street on a number of occasions, I’ve come to admire the emphasis they place on operating partner expertise. Duke Street already has high-quality consumer-facing businesses in their portfolio, and I’m greatly looking forward to helping the team source and manage many more.’
Founded in 1988 and firm with offices in London and Paris, Duke Street focuses on mid-market leveraged buyouts, investing in established UK and French businesses with enterprise values of up to EUR500m, and has raised six private equity funds with total capital exceeding EUR2bn.
The firm focuses on the retail and consumer, leisure, health care, financial services and business services sectors, seeking to achieve value creation through implementing operational change and making build-up acquisitions. Its investments within the consumer sector include Accantia, Adelie Food Holdings, Burtons Foods and Original Factory Shop.
