Quorn Foods owner Exponent Private Equity eyes another buyout exit
Vegetarian favourite Quorn Foods has emerged as the latest candidate to be put on the auction block after its private equity backers started mulling plans to harvest its stake in the group.
Exponent Private Equity is thought to be looking at options for the meat-free foods manufacturer, which it bought in 2011 for £205m.
Groups like Exponent traditionally hold investments for a certain period, usually between five and seven years, before trying to sell them at a profit.
The news, first reported by the Sunday Times, comes as the firm runs the rule over a number of other investments. It is understood to be in the process of selecting banks for a sale or flotation of tool hire company HSS next year.
Another portfolio company – train ticket booking portal thetrainline – was also the subject of speculation as a candidate for a potential initial public offering.
However, the firm’s last major exit came in the form of a sale of the Ambassador Theatre Group to rival buyout shop Providence Equity Partners last year,