The acquisition of Villa & Hut by Allied Brands is a great example of how the market can work intelligently to help companies in trouble. Sorrento Corporate Finance, a firm now part of Leadenhall, was contacted by a supplier to Villa & Hut to help to save their customer from receivership due to its debt burden. Knowing that Allied Brands was in the market for a coffee shop chain, Sorrento introduced Villa & Hut to Allied Brands.

The bank was brought in on the deal and between the three parties a deal was struck which saved the business, the staff’s jobs and the bank’s debt and Franz Madlener, the owner of Villa & Hut stayed on to continue managing the business.

Villa & Hut is a good news story and is a great example of how corporate advisers can help the market run more efficiently.