- Founded in 1981 by David and Luisa Scacchetti, Mamas & Papas is a designer, wholesaler, and retailer of nursery and baby products;
- Headquartered in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, the business is now the largest nursery brand in the UK, operating over 60 stores and concessions across the country;
- The business was acquired in 2014 by private equity firm and existing OakNorth customer, Bluegem Capital Partners.
OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, has provided a bespoke funding package to the UK’s leading premium nursery brand, Mamas & Papas, to support its continued growth.
Founded in 1981 by new parents at the time, David and Luisa Scacchetti, and headquartered in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Mamas & Papas is a designer, wholesaler, and retailer of nursery and baby products including travel systems, nursery furniture and children’s clothing. The business is now the largest nursery brand in the UK, operating a seamless omnichannel shopping experience, including over 60 dedicated stores and concessions, across the country, in addition to an international footprint that sees them operating in 23 countries through various wholesale channels. Having won multiple industry awards, Mamas & Papas has built a strong reputation for an uncompromising approach to customer service, quality, style, sustainability, and attention to detail.
Initially a family-owned business, Mamas & Papas was acquired in 2014 by existing OakNorth customer, Bluegem Capital Partners, which was founded in 2007 by Marco Capello and Emilio Di Spiezio Sardo. Bluegem is a private equity firm based in London, which invests in European consumer brands and businesses with baby care being a core subvertical.
Mamas & Papas, which reported sales growth of 14% to £144m in its 2023 financial year, is set to report another record financial year thanks to continued sales and profits growth.
Nathan Williams, CEO of Mamas & Papas, commented on the transaction: “Over recent years, Mamas & Papas has continued to build momentum across all areas of the business, including our store footprint, digital offering, domestic market and overseas partnerships, helping us win a record share of the market and build our reputation as a purpose-led, parent-centric brand. OakNorth’s relationship-based approach to lending meant Stuart and his team were able to create a funding package that solves all our funding requirements under one facility.”
Mathieu Develay, Partner at Bluegem Capital Partners, commented: “Mamas & Papas is one of the most well known and loved premium baby brands in the UK, and a haven for expectant parents. We were excited to acquire the business in 2014, and a decade on, we’ve been privileged to have a front-row seat as it has continued to go from strength to strength. Having worked with OakNorth before, we felt they’d be the ideal partner to support us with this transaction.”
Stuart Blair, Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “This is a very exciting transaction for OakNorth as it emphasises our strong ambitions to do more to support the UK’s retail sector moving forward. Given the expected growth in the UK nursery and baby products market, Mamas & Papas is well positioned to capture further market share and continue building its omni-channel presence. In Bluegem, they have a strong, long-term backer with an excellent track record in supporting retail and consumer brands across a range of sector verticals.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About OakNorth
Launched in September 2015, OakNorth is the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, empowering scale-up businesses (£1m-£100m turnover) to support growth, prosperity, and innovation for the benefit of all.
Since its launch, the bank has:
- Lent over £10bn to these businesses, directly helping with the creation of 40,000 new jobs and 29,000 new homes across the UK.
- Raised deposits from c.254,000 savers.
- Supported several hundred businesses across the UK with the debt finance to pursue their growth ambitions.
It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Visit www.oaknorth.co.uk for more information.
Media contact
Tom Pavey-Smith, Associate Director, Growth & Communications – [email protected] / [email protected] / 0791 716 5588