WestBridge invests in global creative agency, with funding support from Shawbrook

• Koto is a creative agency, headquartered in London and operating from studios in Los Angeles, New York, Berlin and Sydney.
• The agency was looking to increase its global footprint and expand its service capabilities.
• Buy and build specialist, Westbridge has expanded its portfolio and invested in Koto, with a  unitranche facility provided by Shawbrook.

Shawbrook has structured a bespoke facility to support existing sponsor client, Westbridge and creative agency, Koto with their latest transaction.  

Private Equity firm, WestBridge has partnered with Koto, a leading creative agency that provides integrated brand strategy, identity and digital implementation services to some of the largest and most influential companies in the world across tech, financial services, gaming, sports and healthcare.

Koto was established in 2015 by founders James Greenfield (CEO), Caroline Matthews (COO) and Jowey Roden (CCO), who will all remain in the business and retain a major shareholding in the Group. The investment also sees Koto broaden its shareholder base beyond the founding team. 

WestBridge will support the business to deliver continued organic growth in its core US, European and APAC markets alongside M&A to accelerate scale, broaden its geographic reach and expand service capabilities. 

Ed Minton, Director at WestBridge said:

“We’re joining the Koto journey at a hugely exciting time, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with such a talented team. Koto has carved out a very strong position in the market as a leading independent agency providing some of the highest quality creative work to a growing roster of Fortune 500 companies and leading scale up brands.  

"We’ve built the foundations of a strong, collaborative partnership with Founders James, Jowey and Caroline and with CFO Nick Leatham, and we’re very much looking forward to supporting them and the wider team on delivering Koto’s organic and inorganic growth ambitions.” 

James Greenfield, CEO at Koto, said:

“In its first decade, Koto has firmly established a reputation for creating brand excellence with some of the world’s most iconic companies. In the process, we’ve built a world-class team, one I’m proud to lead. 
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“This is our first venture with Shawbrook and their financial sponsor team took the time to get to know our objectives so as to create a solution suited to our strategy. For us, this understanding is crucial and I believe it will strengthen our relationship with the funder.”  

Deepak Parekh, Senior Director at Shawbrook, commented:

“We have worked with WestBridge on a wide range of deals over the years and each business has been unique, entrepreneurial and dynamic. Koto seems to fit this bill brilliantly and we are delighted to be working with the business as we support their growth and expansion.”

Shawbrook was supported by Eversheds Sutherland for legal services. Koto was supported by Jegi Clarity, Lewis Silkin and BDO. WestBridge had a number of advisors including GP Bullhound, BDO, Capital Law and Pinsent Masons.