Alantra X Brand Growth Heroes Mini MBA

Fiona Fitzpatrick

For over 25 years, I’ve been privileged to work with some of the UK’s most famous consumer packaged goods brands, gaining deep experience across brand, category, sales and international business development, and holding board-level and non-executive roles. My experience includes industry giants like Nestlé and Premier Foods, as well as challenger brands such as Gü, Chobani, and Strong Roots.

Through my work with Bord Bia and the BGH Accelerator Programme, I’ve supported over 300 startups as they strive for growth and profitability whilst remaining conscientious of their impact on people and our planet. The Brand Growth Heroes podcast, launched in 2020, highlights founders’ stories from companies like Strong Roots and Rude Health, emphasising the creativity and dedication needed to overcome the many challenges facing scaling challenger brands.

The Brand Growth Heroes Mini MBA, developed from a decade of programme delivery and my eight years as a lecturer at UCD Smurfit School, aims to lift the capabilities of leaders in both established and emerging CPG brands.  I’m proud and excited to be working alongside Charles Lanceley and the Consumer Goods & Retail team at Alantra.

Charles Lanceley

I’m a Managing Director in Alantra’s Global Consumer Goods & Retail team based in London. I advise clients, ranging from entrepreneurs and disruptors to multinationals and private equity funds, on mergers and acquisitions. I predominantly work with owners of businesses, advising on selling, raising capital, or a combination of the two.

My expertise is laser-focused on the Food, Beverage, and Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) sectors. I have extensive experience guiding both high-growth, disruptive brands and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) within VMS. My track record includes advising exceptional companies in these niches. This includes securing private equity investment and exits for innovative brands like Strong Roots, Montezuma’s, Huel, and nakd, as well as facilitating category-defining deals for VMS leaders like Bee Health, Aakamp, and Alphacaps.

I’m the author of the Alantra Food & Beverage Fast 50, which ranks the UK’s fastest-growing privately owned Food & Beverage businesses. The UK is home to some of the most exciting and innovative brands globally. It’s fascinating to watch founders progress their brands from the earliest days to, in many cases, household name status and international reach. I’m fortunate to be able to help some of those founders achieve their ambitions.