
About
Are you a business owner operating in the agriculture, production & distribution segments of the food and beverage sector and have revenues from 3-100m GBP? Exploring an exit or interested in joining a larger group, please get in touch.
We are interested in talking to owner’s in the following arena:
Beverage
Dairy
Fruit & Veg
Grain
Meat, poultry & seafood
Sugar & confectionery
Are you a complimentary business to the above and operating in the following categories? Then please reach out, we are interested in exploring opportunities.
Export/Import
F&B Equipment manufacturers
Transportation
Packaging
Controlled environment atmosphere construction
F&B Automation
SMEs vs Larger Group


Benefits of being part of a larger group
Being a larger group provides us with more opportunity and some of the benefits associated with this are
Talent & Careers
With over 200 employees currently, hiring & retaining the best talent in the industry is paramount to our success – a larger group provides greater career prospects for our biggest asset – our people.
Best Practices
Taking A class processes & ideas from each business in the group will improve the performance across the group
Collaboration
Sharing services & head office functions creates efficiencies across the group.
Buying Power
A collective spend in key areas of the supply chain gives better buying power.
Leadership
Aquila Food Group is backed by Mergers, Acquisitions & Private Equity Firm – Opulentia Capital and a winning team:
Dr Stuart Smith - Non-Exec Chair
Over 40 years experience working with SMEs & larger businesses including extensive experience in the food industry. Stuart is a seasoned Chief Executive, Chair & Board member active in several companies.
Mark Strachan, Director
Mark has founded and sold several businesses in both the UK and South Africa in the fresh food and services arena & ran a BRC Grade A fruit export packing facility in SA with key local & international clients.
Paul Seabridge, CEO Opulentia Capital, M&A Director
Paul is the Group CEO for Opulentia Capital. Paul is a published author, global entrepreneur and leading M&A expert. He has personally transacted over 60 deals & advised on 100s more.
Mark Birchall, FCCA, MBA, Group CFO
Mark leads the finance & group integration post acquisition. He has operated in a variety of SMEs & corporate structure from owner manager businesses, PE funded & Public Company with particular experience in acquisitions and disposals.
Sue Swanborough, Group People Director
Sue is an experienced and commercial HR Director with broad business experience and a track record of delivering business focused people agendas across different sizes of business and all areas of HR, resulting in transformation of organisations, culture and leaders.
Jack O Brien, Group CEO
Jack has over 30 years international experience in the food industry having spent time working in larger food companies like 2 sisters Food Group & Grampian, within retail with the likes of Sainsbury´s as well as within owner, operator & Entrepreneurial business with a significant track record of delivering profit & positive change.