Former Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand has confirmed the creation of RedCat Pub Company, an investment vehicle backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, which has raised at least £200m of equity to invest in the UK pub sector.
RedCat plans to partner with licensees, publicans and entrepreneurs to support the recovery of the sector and will look to acquire retail and tenanted pubs across the UK but with a focus in the east, south east, and south of the UK.
Anand, executive chairman of RedCat Pub Company, said: “I’ve always been a strong believer in the great British pub. It has survived the Blitz, the Great Plague and the Credit Crunch – always bouncing back and taking its rightful place at the heart of the community. We want to partner with talented licensees and entrepreneurs to give them the support, capital and help they need to thrive.”
Rothschild and Peel Hunt acted as advisers to RedCat Pub Company.