Oghma Partners C.T. Holmes on sale of Holmes Seafood

Oghma Partners has announced that it acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of UK-based C.T. Holmes Limited (‘Holmes Seafood’) on the sale of their business to Brasmar Group SGPS, S.A (‘Brasmar’).

Privately owned since its incorporation over 70 years ago, Holmes Seafood operates out of the Billingsgate Market in London and employs c. 40 staff. Holmes Seafood specialises in supplying independent frozen seafood wholesalers throughout the UK.

The acquisition of Holmes Seafood, benefiting from its privileged location in the largest inland fish market in the United Kingdom, will allow Brasmar to expand its presence in this geography, increasing the commercialisation of its products to British consumers. Holmes Seafood will maintain the current management team as well as all current jobs.

Mark Lynch, partner at Oghma Partners, said: “We were delighted to achieve the sale for the Holmes Seafood shareholders who have found a good home for the business in Brasmar. This seafood sector deal follows on from our role advising on the recent acquisition of Ruskim Seafoods by Sykes and the sale of Icelandic Seachill to Hilton Group.

“Individually the team have now advised on over 18 seafood transactions making the Oghma team one of the most experienced in the seafood market.”

Andy Thomas, shareholder and managing director of Holmes Seafood, said of Oghma Partners: “Oghma were fantastic to work with and played a key role in the process. The team were professional throughout and did a great job coordinating the deal keeping the momentum going right through to completion.

“Oghma came highly recommended, and we chose them as our preference was to work with a specialist partner with a more personal touch; one who had a hands-on approach with good relationships and specialist knowledge of the food sector having completed numerous transactions in this sector over the past few years.”