Private equity firm takes majority stake in Enotria

Enotria has secured a deal with BlueGem Capital Partners which sees the private equity firm become the UK wine trade supplier’s majority shareholder.

Although the terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, the move has seen ISIS Equity Partners sell its shares in the company, leaving Enotria senior management as shareholders alongside BlueGem.

The existing Enotria management team will continue to be led by chief executive Alison Levett, who was named Woman of the Year at The Drinks Business Awards 2012. The company has also announced that former non-executive director Tim How will now take on the role of chairman.

As a result of this new backing, Enotria, which also won On-Trade Supplier of the Year at this year’s db awards, is planning “significant investment” across its warehousing, systems and people, with the aim of growing its business significantly in the next few years.

Describing this backing as a sign of “confidence in both our track record and for management’s plans for the future,” Levett confirmed: “It enables us to remain as a standalone company and continue on our journey to be the best in the industry.”

Marco Capello, managing partner of BlueGem, commented on the deal, saying: “In Enotria we have found a best-in-class distributor with very strong management and a compelling track record of helping its suppliers and its customers to achieve quality and profitability in their wine business. We look forward to supporting the company in its continued success.”

Specialising in mid-market, European-based companies, with a particular focus on the UK and Italy, BlueGem’s portfolio also includes central London department store Liberty.