In the article below, Mark Lynch a founding partner of Food & Beverage Co. M&A specialists Oghma Partners, reviews the outlook for merger and acquisition activity in the UK food & beverage sector in 2009 in contrast to activity in 2007 & 2008. He also assesses the outlook for food company valuations.

Sentiment Stymies Action in the Food & Beverage sector

2008 saw an across the board reduction in M&A activity (by volume) with 71 deals identified in the year vs. 114 in 2007. This roughly one third decline in deals has been caused by, amongst other things; valuation uncertainty prompted by volatile equity markets; a sharp reduction in the availability of finance as crisis hit banks held back on lending and a withdrawal of activity by private equity players.

Oghma Partners, the corporate advisory boutique specialising in the food and beverage industry, is pleased to announce that it has become a sponsor of The Food Club.

The Food Club was formed in 1996 and its members come from companies in, or supplying, the food industry. The club holds monthly meetings and net working dinners where speakers talk about various aspects of the food industry. The aim of the club is to support its members expand their commercial activity and to encourage trade between its members. The club is based in London.

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Mark Lynch, co-founding Partner of Oghma Partners said, ‘we have been impressed by the self-help nature of the food club, its activities and its support for its members. We are extremely proud to be able to support The Food Club in its drive to help the UK food industry prosper’