Pet food has joined popcorn and swimwear as the latest deal worked on by Bristol lawyers from national firm Bond Dickinson for longstanding specialist consumer brand investor Piper.
Pet Food UK, the Hertfordshire company behind the Barking Heads, Meowing Heads and AATU brands, has received £5m from Piper to strengthen its presence in the natural pet food sector. 
The move marks the final investment from Piper’s £107m, fifth fund which last year backed Devon-based natural pet food company Forthglade.
Bond Dickinson’s corporate finance team, led by Bristol-based partner Simon Hewes, pictured below left, has advised Piper on a raft of deals going back more than a decade. Other notable transactions led by Simon include Piper’s investments in Propercorn, the fast-growing, low-calorie popcorn brand, designer swim and leisurewear brand Orlebar Brown and Turtle Bay, the Caribbean restaurant chain launched by Bristol-based former Las Iguanas founder Ajith Jajawickrema.
The team working on the Pet Food UK deal also included Bristol solicitor Sammy Hill, pictured below, and London-based Managing associate Leon Miller.
Pet Food UK, whose brands already boast revenues of £10m-plus, said the investment, combined with Piper’s deep knowledge and understanding of the sector, would help the business continue to grow and prosper.
Simon Hewes said: “We are delighted to have advised our longstanding client Piper on this latest investment, which will support Pet Food UK’s ambitions for growth in the UK and internationally. 
“Our work advising the client strengthens our corporate and commercial law credentials as well as our sector expertise in consumer brands.”
Piper investment director Rory Gibbs added: “The Bond Dickinson team were instrumental in getting the deal over the line. They offered commercial advice and their specialisms were extremely useful during the due diligence process.
“The £250m natural pet food market continues to be an area of high growth as consumers are increasingly and justifiably concerned about what they are feeding their pets. Backing the team behind Barking Heads, one of the leading premium natural dry pet food brands, complements our investment in Forthglade, which is focused on the premium natural wet food sector. Both investments demonstrate our commitment to finding market-leading brands in sectors we believe have significant growth potential. The two businesses will continue to be run independently.”
Bristol is Bond Dickinson’s second largest office. The firm employs more than 1,200 people across its seven UK offices, which include London, Bristol, Southampton, Plymouth, Leeds, Newcastle and Aberdeen. The firm is to open an Edinburgh office later this year.
