#Canada #Toronto #M&A Advisory #Consensus #Origin Merchant Partners

Strategic Acquisition of Consensus by Origin Merchant Partners: A Game Changer for Consumer and Retail M&A

In a significant move for the North American investment banking landscape, Origin Merchant Partners has announced its strategic acquisition of Consensus, a renowned consumer-focused investment bank with offices located in Boston and New York. This partnership aims to create a leading independent advisory platform catering specifically to the needs of founder-led, family-owned, and private equity-backed consumer and retail brands navigating the often challenging environments of cross-border sales, capital raises, and strategic transitions in the middle market.

Enhancing Expertise and Expanding Reach

The merger combines the in-depth consumer and retail expertise of Consensus with the robust North American platform of Origin. The newly formed division, named Consensus Consumer, will significantly strengthen Origin's capabilities by adding a team of 20 seasoned professionals, comprising eight senior professionals and 12 senior industry advisors. This team will be led by Consensus founder Michael A. O'Hara, a veteran with over 30 years of experience in the American consumer sector. O'Hara will take on the role of Chair, Origin U.S., focused on expanding Origin's presence in the U.S. market and its consumer practices, all while leveraging the trusted Consensus brand.

Consensus’s proven track record over more than two decades includes offering advisory services to prominent U.S. and global consumer brands on mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, and strategic alternatives. Iconic brands that have benefited from Consensus’s guidance include Nine West, Timex Group, Toys 'R' Us, and many others. Their extensive relationships within the branded consumer, retail, apparel, footwear, beauty, health, wellness, luxury goods, and active lifestyle sectors will comprehensively complement Origin's existing consumer practice and broaden its U.S. market coverage.

Driving Independent and Effective Advisory Services

“By bringing together the exceptional focus on high-growth consumer businesses from Consensus with our extensive expertise, we will deliver unmatched service to our clients,” said Jim Osler, Co-Chair of Origin Merchant Partners. He emphasized the synergies that this merger brings in terms of cross-border reach, senior-level attention, and truly independent advice - components essential for thriving in today's competitive landscape.

Michael A. O'Hara echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for joining forces with Origin during a time of renewed momentum in the consumer sector. He highlighted that this merger will not only expand the services offered to clients but also enhance the firm's ability to handle more complex mandates seamlessly while maintaining the quality service clients expect from a boutique firm.

Broadening Geographic and Sector Expertise

This strategic merger will enhance cross-border reach while reinforcing M&A capabilities across the U.S., Canada, and even globally. This expansion reflects the growing integration of the North American consumer market, particularly by increasing footprints in key markets such as Boston, Chicago, and New York, along with major Canadian cities like Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The combination of both firms will provide deeper expertise in various consumer sectors including retail, beauty, lifestyle, food, beverage, apparel, footwear, luxury goods, and consumer health. Veteran specialists in these fields will lead these efforts, ensuring quality advisory services are provided. Furthermore, clients will see a notable increase in execution quality with a more senior team dedicated to navigating the intricate cross-border market landscape.

Historically, both firms have collaborated on several successful transactions as part of their membership in The Terra Alliance, further solidifying their capability to serve clients across various industries.

Continued Growth Strategy

This acquisition marks the third major transaction for Origin Merchant Partners in the past four years and its second in the United States. The strategic alignment with Consensus underlines Origin's commitment to growth, emphasizing their focus on broadening both sector and geographic coverage while offering innovative and independent M&A advisory services to their clients.

About Consensus and Origin Merchant Partners

Founded in February 2006, Consensus has established itself as a premier consumer-focused investment bank, delivering M&A and strategic advisory services to branded consumer and retail companies throughout North America and globally. Similarly, Origin Merchant Partners operates as an independent investment bank across major locations in North America, including Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Montreal, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver. Together, these two firms are poised to redefine the consumer and retail advisory landscape in North America.