Specialist reptile category supplier Monkfield Reptile has secured a multi-million-pound minority investment from capital investor BGF.
Headquartered near Ely, Cambridgeshire, the business has surpassed £27m in revenue and employs 135 staff across a portfolio of specialist brands including Arcadia, HabiStat and Monkfield Nutrition.
The investment will support Monkfield Reptile’s international growth plans. It already supplies more than 1,500 products to customers in 35 countries and is particularly targeting further growth in the US.
The deal also sees pet industry veteran Paul Miley appointed chairman, alongside former Dyson GB & Ireland managing director Rebecca DeNiro, who joins as a non-executive director.
Miley brings 30 years’ experience in the pet sector, including key roles at Mars Petcare Europe, chief executive of Burgess Pet Care and chair of the pet food trade association the PFMA (now known as UK Pet Food) and the Pet Care Trust. He also sits on the board of The Nutriment Company. DeNiro also joins the board, via the BGF Talent Network.
Monkfield Reptile chief executive Matt Negus said: “We’re delighted to partner with BGF as we begin the next chapter of Monkfield’s growth. For more than 40 years we’ve been committed to supporting our trade partners, from independent stores to major retailers and distributors around the world, and that commitment doesn’t change.
“BGF shares our long-term vision and understands what makes an independent business like ours special. Their backing will help us invest further in our customers in the UK and Europe and accelerate our plans in the US, where we see significant demand for high-quality, welfare-led reptile products. We’re also delighted to welcome Rebecca to the board and Paul as our chairman.”
Matt Connor, investor at BGF, added: “Monkfield Reptile is a fantastic example of a specialist, founder-led business that has built real expertise and loyalty in its sector. We look forward to supporting the organisation as they grow internationally.”
