Bambino Mio receives multi-million BGF investment

Reusable nappy brand Bambino Mio has been backed by a £13 million investment from BGF to support its growth ambitions. Seven professional services firms played a role in the deal.

Northamptonshire-headquartered Bambino Mio creates reusable nappies for babies from birth to potty-training. Founded in 1997 by husband and wife team Guy Schanschieff and Jo Schanschieff, the firm has been planning to expand across the UK, and internationally. With the securing of a landmark investment from BGF, Bambino Mio will now look to drive multi-channel growth and increase spend across the firm's infrastructure, marketing, brand and product development. 

Guy Schanschieff noted, “Our products are carefully designed to improve the experience for babies, as an affordable alternative to disposables and to tackle the huge problems the world is facing from plastic pollution… This further investment means we can continue to work towards our ambition of becoming a true global leader in sustainable and reusable products in the FMCG sector.”

BGF investor James Syrotiuk joins Bambino Mio as part of the transaction, arriving as a Non-executive Director alongside newly appointed Non-executive Chairman Peter Unsworth. According to Syrotiuk, BGF regards Bambino Mio as an important project, with sustainability having become a key part of modern investment culture.

He added, "We regard Bambino Mio as a leading brand in the growing global reusable nappy market and are thrilled to be backing a purpose driven management team who are passionate about improving the environment through the reduction of single-use plastics… There is significant opportunity to increase market share in all territories by supercharging the brand and product development worldwide."

BGF received legal advice from Shoosmiths, financial due diligence support from Rob Marshall, and tax services from BDO. Meanwhile, Bambino Mio was supported with legal advice by Gowlings, given vendor financial due diligence by E&Y, and received customer due diligence from CIL. Grant Thornton gave Bambino Mio corporate finance advice.

Mike Hughes, Corporate Finance Director at Grant Thornton, said of the news, “Bambino Mio is an outstanding company with tremendous ESG credentials, just one of many reasons why there was such significant interest in the business. With enterprise, endeavour and purpose, Guy and Jo have turned their passion into an outstanding brand and with BGF’s support we are confident they will continue to build on their market-leading position for many years to come.”