The Bristol office of transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson has advised longstanding investor client Piper on its latest growth capital investment – backing beauty and wellbeing brand Neom Organics.
The Womble Bond Dickinson team was led by Bristol-based corporate partner Simon Hewes, pictured, and corporate associate Sammy Hill, with banking partner Philip Withey handling the banking aspects.
Multi-channel sales at Neom, founded by former Glamour magazine editor Nicola Elliott and investment analyst Oliver Mennell, grew last year by 35% to £18m.
Based in Harrogate, where it employs 50 people, the firm designs products offering therapeutic benefits to relieve stress, aid sleep, boost energy and lift mood.
The investment by Piper, the UK’s leading specialist investor in consumer brands, will enable Neom to expand its product range, develop its senior team, open additional stores and increase its international footprint.
It is the third investment from Piper’s sixth fund, Piper VI, which recently closed at £125m.
Simon Hewes said: “We’re delighted to have advised Piper on this latest investment, working collaboratively with its advisory team to complete the deal before Christmas. Piper has a real passion for growing young consumer brands into successful mature businesses and we look forward to working with them again as the business continues to grow its investment portfolio.”
Piper investment director Dan Stern added: “Simon, Sammy and Philip did another fantastic job for Piper. They demonstrated deep specialist knowledge coupled with great commercial awareness and project management skills. They were a pleasure to work with.
Womble Bond Dickinson’s Bristol office has supported Piper for a number of years, including its investment in city-based café/bar chains Loungers, Las Iguanas and Turtle Bay.
Last year it advised on its investments into Pet Food UK and Flat Iron Restaurants.
Womble Bond Dickinson, the result last November’s merger of UK law firm Bond Dickinson and US-based Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, provides legal advice on a range of sectors across its offices in the UK and the US.
The tie-up created the largest transatlantic law firm in the South West. The firm’s Bristol base is the second largest of its eight-strong UK office network employing more than 250 staff.
Its corporate banking and finance lawyers advise private equity firms, investee companies, management teams and debt providers on private equity transactions, including growth and development capital, as well as management buyouts.
