Leeds, 21 September 2026: Debrett’s has advised Foresight Group (“Foresight”), a leading regional private equity and real assets investment manager, on its £12 million investment into Automotive & Industrial Consumables Limited (“AIC”), supporting a management buyout and the Company’s next phase of growth.

AIC is a leading importer and distributor of automotive, electrical and industrial consumable products, supplying over 6,100 products to more than 5,500 customers across the UK, Europe and the USA.

Based in Leeds, AIC serves the automotive aftermarket, electrical installation, construction and general industrial sectors. AIC has built a leading market position through long-standing supplier relationships, broad product availability and high levels of customer service. The Company has a diversified customer base, recurring demand and established international sourcing capabilities.

The investment will support the next stage of AIC's development, including further investment in sales and marketing, website optimisation, product expansion and enhanced use of data and AI-driven analytics.

The management buyout will be led by the existing senior management team, headed by Prakash Patel, Managing Director, Jake Bury, Finance Director, Neil Hodson, Sales Director, and Raj Patel, Procurement Director. Foresight will work closely with the management team to help accelerate growth, increase market share and drive operational improvements.

As part of the investment, Andrew Wakelin will join the business as Chair. Andrew brings more than 35 years' experience in industrial distribution, most recently as Group Operations Director at Aspen Pumps, a private equity-backed industrial distributor. He has significant expertise supporting operational improvement and growth, including international expansion.

Prakash Patel, Managing Director of AIC, said:

“The management team has been driving the business for many years and is excited to take this next step. With Foresight's backing, we can invest behind a clear growth strategy, strengthen our market position and unlock opportunities that were previously out of reach.”

Richard Ralph, Investment Director at Foresight Group, commented:

“AIC combines many of the qualities we look for – a strong management team, highly recurring revenue, excellent cash generation and a market-leading position from which it can grow further. We believe there is significant opportunity to accelerate growth through entering new product and geographic markets, and are excited to support Prakash, Jake, Raj and Neil as they deliver the next chapter of the business's development.

“Debrett’s provided excellent support throughout the transaction. Their commercial approach, responsiveness and understanding of both the business and the deal dynamics helped us navigate the process efficiently, and we greatly valued having them alongside us.”

Ed Shurville-Darlington, Senior Director at Debrett’s, commented:

“AIC is a fantastic business with a strong market position, an impressive management team and plenty of opportunity ahead of it. It has been a real pleasure working with Richard and the Foresight team on the transaction, and we’re delighted to have helped them complete this investment.

“There is a great fit between Foresight and the management team, and we’re excited to see what they can achieve together as they take AIC into its next phase of growth.”

Debrett’s provided corporate finance advice to Foresight throughout the transaction. The Debrett’s team was led by Ed Shurville-Darlington.

The transaction further demonstrates Debrett’s experience advising private equity investors and management teams on transactions across the UK mid-market.

About Debrett’s

Debrett’s is a professional services group specialising in Advisory, Wealth Management and Investments.

Debrett’s advisory team provides corporate finance, M&A and debt advisory services to entrepreneurs, management teams, corporates and investors. Combining deep sector expertise with an extensive network of relationships across the UK and internationally, the team provides senior-led advice throughout the transaction lifecycle.