Success Stories

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…

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 “The team at Entrepreneurs Hub have complimented the process fantastically. We have worked with Howard Dingley and Mike O’Connor on a previous transaction and have found their guidance and support invaluable. David Elliott who also assisted throughout the process comes with vast experience in M&A activity and was a welcome addition to the team.”
Chris Dear
Circle Waste
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Many thanks to the team at Entrepreneurs Hub for their support throughout the sale process; something we couldn’t have managed without their help. With no previous experience, the journey was much more comprehensive than envisaged and their support was invaluable.
Derek Jones
Managing Director, Bulb Interiors
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A massive thank you to everyone at EH that has helped to bring this deal to fruition.
EH went above and beyond on many occasions to help us through what is, for most owners,
a once-in-a-lifetime transaction. I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Barry Burke
DWS
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You build your business with a winning team, so my personal recommendation is to maintain that eminence by adding Entrepreneurs Hub, they act as an extension of your business and deliver the results you need. It’s likely you will only sell your business once, so choose wisely; I whole-heartedly advocate EH as the professional partner of choice for any business looking for an exit strategy.
Matthew Allen
CEO – Bluegfx
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