Managing Director, Consumer & Retail
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.
JUF Financial Division
Cradles to Crayons, Family Advisory Council
Food Allergy Initiative Chicago
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)
a portfolio company of
One Rock Capital Partners
has been acquired by
William Blair served as the exclusive financial advisor to Orion Food Systems Holdings, LLC, a portfolio company of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC, in connection with its sale to Performance Food Group Company.
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has been acquired by
a portfolio company of Tilia Holdings
has been acquired by
has received a strategic growth investment from
William Blair acted as exclusive financial advisor to Natural Partners, Inc. in connection with a $240 million strategic growth investment led by HGGC, LLC and Snapdragon Capital Partners LLC.
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a portfolio company of Sterling Investment Partners
has been acquired by
William Blair acted as the lead financial advisor to All My Sons, a portfolio company of Sterling Investment Partners, in connection with its sale to Golden Gate Capital.
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a portfolio company of Freeman Spogli & Co
has been acquired by
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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a division of KIK Custom Products and portfolio company of Centerbridge Partners
has been acquired by
a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners
has been acquired by
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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has been acquired by
has been acquired by
has been acquired by
has been acquired by
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.
More about investment banking at William Blair
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
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.*
Year William Blair was founded
Employees worldwide
Client assets
Independent and employee-owned
Offices worldwide
Companies under coverage
As of December 31, 2023
*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.
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