One counterparty, one decision, and a long view.
How we work with founders and families, with corporate groups and with our capital partners.
Founders and families
Selling or sharing ownership of a business you have built is a decision you make once. We start with a private conversation, take the time to understand the business and what matters to you, and make a clear proposal that says what happens to the management, the people and the name.
Corporate groups
We acquire divisions and brands that no longer fit a larger group. Our team has originated and completed carve outs from multinational consumer groups, including Compass Box Whisky from Bacardi, and has managed disposals from the corporate side, so we understand what a seller needs: a credible buyer, a clean separation, continuity for the people involved and confidentiality throughout.
Capital partners
Each investment is structured on its own terms and offered to a small group of institutional and family office partners, with Caelum Capital investing alongside them. Our origination is proprietary: Compass Box Whisky was sourced and negotiated directly as a carve out from Bacardi, outside any auction. Our deal by deal approach reinforces a methodical search for differentiated companies with the most upside, and gives us the flexibility to structure each investment to meet our partners' requirements.
From first conversation to partnership.
- A private conversationNo advisers needed at the start, and no obligation.
- UnderstandingThe business, its people and what matters to the owners.
- A clear proposalValue, structure, and what changes and what does not.
- CompletionA disciplined, confidential process with one counterparty.
- Building togetherA shared plan, with our team working inside the business alongside management.
Compass Box Whisky
Founded in 2000, Compass Box has set out to make Scotch whisky a more interesting place, with a contemporary positioning built on transparency, innovation and independence and a loyal following among whisky drinkers in the United States and Europe. In 2023 it was ranked the world's fifth most admired whisky brand by Drinks International. Caelum Capital acquired its majority shareholding in April 2022 through a proprietary corporate carve out from Bacardi, negotiated directly and outside any auction. Since then our team has worked inside the business with its management on route to market, brand and portfolio, supply and quality, whisky stocks, finance and leadership.
Businesses built to last.
We own businesses for the long term and run them that way: fair treatment of employees, sound governance, careful use of resources and respect for the communities they work in. These standards are part of every investment case and every board agenda.
Read our responsible ownership policy
