The Global Leader in Consumer Growth Investing: L Catterton Has Created a Niche of its Own

L Catterton Europe is the European fund of L Catterton, the largest global consumer-focused private equity firm.

With more than 20 years of experience in the sector, L Catterton Europe is focused on making investments of €30-80m in Western Europe middle-market growth companies.

L Catterton’s approach is driven by a combination of consumer focus, global reach, and extensive operating resources. L Catterton’s longstanding, sector-specific expertise has helped to cultivate a strategic global network, which positions the firm as a partner-of-choice to help growing consumer businesses realise their potential.

At the core of L Catterton’s strategy is the firm’s strong (and frequently proprietary) deal-flow and differentiated operating capabilities that are deployed to support its portfolio companies. Many of the partners at L Catterton have had direct responsibility for the management of consumer companies, and the combination of private equity investment knowledge and operating expertise add value to portfolio companies and assist in sourcing investment opportunities.

Supported by L Catterton Global co-CEOs, J Michael Chu and Scott Dahnke, L Catterton Europe is managed by six experienced partners in London, Paris, and Milan offices.

The fund is led by managing partner Luigi Feola, with more than 25 years of experience in the global luxury and consumer retail sector. Prior to joining L Catterton in 2019, he served as senior managing director Europe and joint-head of consumer with Temasek, the Singapore-headquartered investment company with a portfolio of $235bn.

L Catterton Europe also benefits from the expertise of five partners, including Jean-Philippe Barade, who brings with him more than 15 years of experience in private equity, focusing on consumer and retail. He previously served as co-founder of B&B Investment Partners, a London-based fund sponsored by Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Arabella Caporello joined L Catterton after 20 years in private equity. She has served at Advent International and Investindustrial.

Eduardo Velasco has been with L Catterton since 2004. Prior to joining the firm, he worked as senior consultant in transaction services at Deloitte Corporate Finance.

Nicolas Desbois serves as partner and group CFO for L Catterton Europe and L Catterton Real Estate. He was previously the CFO of the media and press group at LVMH.

Jeremy Sanders serves as Operating Partner and has extensive operating experience, having led PE-backed businesses in the hospitality, pet, and travel sectors.

The partners of L Catterton Europe are supported by dedicated and seasoned investment professionals, an operating team, and senior advisors. The fund also benefits from the broader resources of a deep team of nearly 200 investment and operating professionals around the world.

L Catterton believes the breadth and reach of its resources are unmatched in the consumer private equity industry, and provide the firm with capabilities that benefit prospective portfolio companies — and, ultimately, investors.

In the past year, L Catterton Europe announced several major transactions, including investments in Butternut Box, Etro, JOTT, and IAFStore. This exemplifies L Catterton’s strategy of identifying and investing in growing consumer categories. In 2021, the firm acquired a majority stake in the storied global footwear brand Birkenstock, positioning the company for continued global expansion.

With its unique investment platform, global resources and reach, and recent new hires, L Catterton Europe is set to continue implementing strategic plans to foster growth in the region.

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