Charles Russell Speechlys advises Fudco Partnership on sale to Exponent-backed Vibrant Foods

Charles Russell Speechlys has advised Fudco, a family-owned business selling South Asian ethnic foods in UK and Europe, on its sale to Vibrant Foods, a portfolio company of global private equity house Exponent.

Founded in 1979 by brothers Sheilesh and Akhil Shah, at the time of sale Fudco had a range of 2,500 products, supplying supermarkets and independents with nuts, spices, dried fruits, pulses, speciality flours and other Asian foods. The business’ premium brands include Fudco (nuts, spices and other Asian foods), Chai Xpress (ayurvedic, spiced and herbal teas) and Golden Tree (Mediterranean-inspired nuts and seeds).

Sheilesh Shah commented: “we absolutely loved working with James and his team at Charles Russell Speechlys. They were efficient, diligent and pragmatic, with huge technical knowledge. Knowing that this was not only our first transaction, but also the sale of our family business, they supported us fully and completely recognised our needs. We are looking forward to working together again.”

Corporate partner, James Broadhurst, added: “we were delighted to advise Fudco on this transformational transaction. As a firm, we are ideally placed to advise owners of family businesses like Fudco on both their business and personal needs. We were able to field a specialist team across our Corporate, Private Client, Competition, Commercial, Employment, Real Estate and Tax practices, to ensure a smooth process for our clients.  We wish Sheilesh, Akhil and the team all the very best.”

The Charles Russell Speechlys team, led by Corporate Partner James Broadhurst, included Ashwin Pillay and Ayman Shehata (Corporate), Piers Master and Denise Li Gates (Private Client), Paul Henty (Competition), Jonathan McDonald, Caroline Young and Freddie Law (Commerical), Helen Coward and Tessa Newman (Corporate Tax), Juliane Lorenz (Real Estate) and Sophie Lockwood (Employment).