Trends UK Acquired by PAT Avenue
Oxfordshire-based STEM toy company Trends UK acquired by PAT Avenue
Trends UK is highly regarded for its innovative approach and focus on STEM toys, promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills. The company also has some key evergreen licenses within its early learning division. including Peppa Pig, Paddington, Thomas the Tank Engine and PAW Patrol.
Entrepreneurs Hub has been working with Trends UK for around 3 years, supporting the shareholders in preparing the business for a sale. Earlier this year, Trends UK were approached by PAT Avenue, a global business with offices in the UK and Madrid, and a strong business model in Latin America along with additional business in Europe. PAT wanted to strengthen their portfolio in the UK market and saw Trends as an excellent way of achieving that aim.
Entrepreneurs Hub pivoted from supporting Trends UK on preparing the business for sale, to supporting negotiations with PAT Avenue and ensuring our client achieved the best outcome. The shareholders are now looking forward to moving forward into a new phase of life.
Lee Clowes and Graham Spark, owners of Trends UK, said:
“Building Trends UK has been a remarkable journey, and reaching this milestone would not have been possible without the exceptional support of Entrepreneurs Hub. Their guidance and professionalism were instrumental throughout the process—from preparing the business for sale to navigating negotiations with PAT Avenue. Their expertise allowed us to focus on what mattered most, and they ensured that every decision was made with our best interests in mind. We’re deeply grateful for their dedication and couldn’t imagine achieving this outcome without them.”
Andrew Shepperd, Director and Co-Founder of Entrepreneurs Hub, said:
“Trends have developed a fantastic reputation in the UK Toy marketplace with lots of innovative educational toys. The trust and relationships across the UK toy industry, make them a highly valuable acquisition for PAT Avenue. At a personal level, Graham and Lee have been wonderful to work with and it has been and absolute pleasure to help them conclude their journey on the next stage of entrepreneurial journey.”
Tony Meakin, Finance Director, Entrepreneurs Hub, said:
“It has been a pleasure to work with Lee and Graham and I am delighted to have supported them in successfully concluding this transaction. They have built an excellent business in the educational toys sector and we wish them all the best in the future.”
If you want to talk to us about how we can help you sell your business, let’s start a conversation…
Hear from the business owners directly
About Trends UK
“It’s been a very interesting journey. And we’re still here, we’re still friends!”
A bespoke approach – Trends
“It was an unusual deal. It just would never have happened without that guidance.”
Appointing an advisor – Trends
“You just get a feel and it felt informal, it didn’t feel like a high pressure tactic.”
Deciding to sell – Trends
“We had two options, sell the business or wind it down…”
Advice for business owners – Trends
“Most business owners are not experts in M&A, so get someone to help you.”
Keep running the business – Trends
“In our minds, if this deal happened or not, we were finishing the year…”
Lessons learned in business – Trends
“Don’t be scared to try a new direction, or to call it a day if it’s not working.”
Managing staff and confidentiality – Trends
“The key priorities are your staff… because they’ve been with us so long.”
Due diligence support – Trends
“I don’t think either of us appreciated how complicated it is…”
Dealing with the aftermath – Trends
“It was a hell of an emotional roller coaster. Probably one of the most relaxing Christmases we’ve ever had.”
