Grant Thornton advises Fun Brands Group Limited

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September 2021

Character.com

Adviser to Fun Brands Group Limited, trading as Character.com, on their investment by BGF

£undisclosed

Grant Thornton team

Jamie Roberts
Partner
Nicola Sartori
Partner, National Head of Consumer Industries

Retail

Sell side

Corporate finance

We are delighted to have advised Fun Brands Group Limited, trading as Character.com, on their investment by BGF.

Character.com is an online retailer of licensed apparel and accessories, based in Swansea. This dynamic character clothing retailer focuses on children’s products and has grown domestic and international sales rapidly since its inception in 2009 having featured on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 for four consecutive years.

We were engaged to advise the founder shareholders, Stephen and Karen Hewitt, on strategic options in relation to their personal business objectives for the next phase of the business’ development.

Our corporate finance team advised the founders on a range of options and preparatory steps ahead of running a highly competitive transaction process in spring 2021 involving a number of UK and overseas based institutions.

Our local and consumer sector corporate finance team used our knowledge of the market to identify and approach parties with a strong strategic and cultural fit and also worked closely with our tax advisory team throughout to optimise the outcome for the clients.

Business Growth Fund (BGF) was selected by the shareholders as the ideal partner to support them as they continue to drive the business forward and build on its already impressive growth story.

Testimonial

We have grown our business substantially since founding it in 2009, and it was hugely important to us that we found a partner which would support us to drive the next phase of growth whilst maintaining the culture and brand which we love. We have found this in BGF and we are excited about realising our future plans for the business. Grant Thornton’s advice throughout the process was invaluable and we would not have achieved the outcome we have without their support. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the team.

Stephen Hewitt Co-founder and Managing Director, Character.com