Fusion Corporate Partners

FPE Capital LLP has acquired a majority stake supporting the MBO of the IWSR, which owns and operates the world’s largest database on the beverage alcohol market. The IWSR management team is led by CEO Mark Meek. Mark has worked in the business information sector for over 20 years and was formerly CEO of Datamonitor and Progressive Digital Media.

IWSR is headquartered in London and has a US office in New York. Over the last 40 years the company has built up the world’s largest database on the beverage alcohol market, covering market, category and brand performance in 157 countries.

At completion, Neil Smith joined the business as non-executive Chairman. Neil was formerly Group COO of Wilmington plc and has over 25 years’ experience as a founder, director, advisor and investor in information businesses.

David Barbour, Managing Partner at FPE, commented: “We are delighted to be backing Mark Meek and his team in the management buyout of IWSR. Mark has driven significant growth at IWSR since becoming CEO four years ago and we look forward to partnering with him and the team for their next phase of growth. We will build on the excellent reputation of the business and its unique market leading data to ensure this remains a leading global supplier to the drinks industry and grows to service the new markets and products in this sector. We are delighted that the founding Smith family will continue to be represented within the business by Alastair Smith who continues in his role as Director, and will have a shareholding in the business.”

UK, London