Brent Smith

Brent Smith

Managing Director, Consumer & Retail

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About Mr. Smith

Brent Smith is a managing director for William Blair based in the firm’s Chicago office. He originally joined William Blair's investment banking team in 2000. Before joining William Blair, he worked for Lehman Brothers and Heitman Financial Limited.

Community Involvement

JUF Financial Division
Cradles to Crayons, Family Advisory Council
Food Allergy Initiative Chicago

Awards and Affiliations

Buyouts: Deal of the Year, 2016: Gold Standard Baking (Arbor Investments)
Investment Dealers' Digest: 2001 Overall and M&A Breakthrough Deal of the Year (Smuckers Acquisition of JIF and Crisco Brands from Procter and Gamble)

Notable Transactions

$532,000,000

a portfolio company of Freeman Spogli & Co

has been acquired by

February 2021

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail

William Blair served as financial advisor to Green Garden Products, a portfolio company of Freeman Spogli & Co., in connection with its pending sale to Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ: CENT, CENTA). Green Garden Products is the leading independent home gardening platform with a diverse portfolio of branded, consumable gardening products positioned for meaningful growth.

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Not Disclosed

a division of KIK Custom Products and portfolio company of Centerbridge Partners

has been acquired by

a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners

August 2020

Canada
USA
Consumer & Retail
Not Disclosed

has been acquired by

August 2020

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail
Not Disclosed

has been acquired by

August 2019

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail

William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Evans Food Group (Evans), a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners, in connection with its sale to Highlander Partners.

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$750,000,000

has been acquired by

July 2019

USA
Ireland
Consumer & Retail

William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Ranir LLC, a leading global self care company providing oral care products to consumers worldwide owned by the Kiphart family and Camden Partners, in connection with its pending sale to Perrigo Company plc.

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Not Disclosed

has been acquired by

October 2018

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail
$1,200,000,000

has been acquired by

December 2017

USA
Italy
Consumer & Retail
Not Disclosed

has been acquired by

November 2017

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail
Not Disclosed

has been acquired by

September 2017

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail
$975,000,000

has been acquired by

January 2016

USA
USA
Consumer & Retail

Rigorous pursuit of your success. Every transaction. Every time.

Our investment bankers are 100 percent committed to your organization’s sustained success. By drawing on our deep industry and product experience as well as our dedicated global resources, we provide advisory and financing services that allow you to capitalize on today’s opportunities and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

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Consumer & Retail

Amid rapidly evolving consumer preferences and the proliferation of new brands and channels, our experience and relationships throughout the consumer and retail industry have allowed us to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients. Corporate boards, management teams, and business owners turn to us for execution excellence, sector expertise, deep relationships with strategic, financial, and family buyers, and creative public and private capital market solutions.

More about our consumer and retail expertise
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About William Blair

William Blair is a premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

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1935

Year William Blair was founded

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+1,850

Employees worldwide

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+131 billion

Client assets

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87 Years

Independent and employee-owned

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20+

Offices worldwide

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+700

Companies under coverage

As of March 31, 2022
*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.

More about William Blair affiliated entities