Enabling growth and resilience of food
Founded in London, PLENTARA is a group of investors dedicated to providing capital to the food and agriculture sector in the UK and the Benelux.
Our vision is to build a portfolio of resilient, innovative food and agriculture businesses across the UK and Benelux, alongside like-minded shareholders who share our long-term vision.
We invest in exceptional food and agricultural companies to help them achieve their long-term growth potential and be exemplary in the sectors that they operate within.
We follow a “buy and expand” approach, partnering closely with our operating companies and supporting them through our sector expertise, operational know-how and network
Our aim is to create value through technology adoption, modernisation, sustainability and scalable growth.
Incumbent owners can also take equity in the investment vehicle post-deal, allowing them to stay connected to the sector and benefit from future growth, while giving PLENTARA valuable expertise.
We work closely with our companies to drive sales and profitability through new customers, market expansion, pricing, cost and production optimisation, and greenfield growth.
The name PLENTARA combines Plenty and Tara (Sanskrit for “star,” traditionally symbolizing a protector or guide), reflecting our mission to guide and strengthen the growth and resilience of food businesses.
Buyout Capital
Acquire controlling stakes to drive strategic growth
Growth Capital
Select minority growth investments where we can accelerate expansion and/or create operational value
We Work Across
Our Team
MARK FREERIKS
CEO and Founding Partner
Over 15 years of experience in M&A and deal execution across PE and corporate
10 years dedicated to food and agriculture investments at Camellia Plc, a UK-listed investment group
Strong corporate finance background, trained as a Chartered Accountant at the Big 4
Extensive experience preparing investment cases for investment committee approval
Worked closely with senior management of portfolio companies on strategy and performance
Expertise in environmental sustainability including advising on strategy and reporting
Former director on the boards of several portfolio companies
Fluent in English and Dutch
NICK HAY
Chairman and Partner
Over 25 years experience in leading start-ups, divestments and fundraising across the food and logistics sector
Former CEO at GIST (M&S food supply chain) and Fowler Welch
Set up and led the joint venture Integrated Service Solutions (ISS) that Fowler Welch formed with DPS, a service provision and fruit packing business, of which Tesco is a large customer
Held chairman and non-executive director positions in businesses across the food value chain
Strategic, commercially focussed leader who is passionate about delivering operational efficiency, shareholder value and clear governance
ALEXANDER KALIS
Strategic advisor and Partner
Over 25 years of experience in institutional investment management, entrepreneurship and governance
Co-founder and former Group Managing Partner of Milltrust International, a global asset management firm
Experience in real assets and agriculture investment and fundraising, including managing agriculture portfolios for pension funds and family offices
Involvement in sustainable and impact investing including foodtech, agritech, healthtech and cleantech
Board director and advisor to multiple funds and portfolio companies
Fluent in English and French, with working knowledge of Dutch
Our Focus
Investment themes
Family businesses’ transfer of ownership
Divestment of non-core assets
Localisation and food security
B2B value addition
Decarbonisation
Automation and Digitisation
We invest in established businesses with the objective of fostering growth through close collaboration with management teams. Our primary focus is on the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and Specialty Food Ingredients sub-sectors across the UK and Benelux. We also consider investments in other food and agri sub-sectors.
When evaluating potential acquisitions and investments, we assess businesses based on the following key characteristics:
Company Size & Ownership
£1m to £3m EBITDA
Controlling stake (buyout specific)
Opportunity to resolve lack of succession or sale of non-core assets (buyout specific)
Business Organisation
Strong B2B relationships and reputation
Highly motivated management team
Auditable or audited financials
Sector Position
Competitive positioning
A market segment for which there is stable/growing demand
Diversified sales (product, geography and customer)
Value Creation Opportunities
Modernisation and application of technology
Select acquisitions
Vertical integration
What We Do Not Invest In
Start-ups (we do invest in scale ups)
Roll-ups
Businesses with sales primarily from B2C branded sales
Software or Hardware, of interest if it is complementary
Retail
Contact us
INVESTORS If you are interested in deploying capital into resilient food and agriculture businesses, we’d love to speak with you
OWNERS If you own a business in food and agriculture, get in touch to explore how we can support your next chapter
