Siddharth Shankar is the CEO of Tails Trading Group, a UK-based supplier of multi-category consumer packaged goods. Recently, the Indian entrepreneur achieved a significant milestone in the company’s trajectory with the sale of its Private Labelling Arm to a large international investor consortium for £395 million. Looking ahead, Shankar will join forces with Komerz Ltd – a company specialising in the global application of the “Commerce as a Service” model for consumer brands and products.
Here, he reflects upon these major developments, his vision for the UK-India market and what makes this such a vibrant business and investment corridor.
What are the key highlights of the sale of the Private Labelling Arm?
The private labelling division of Tails Trading Group has been a key supplier of a wide range of products including food and beverages, personal hygiene items, small domestic appliances, and household cleaning products. Their diverse client base includes large retailers, hotel groups, airlines, and regional importers across North America and Europe.
The investor consortium, led by Roger Tamaraz's NetOil, includes companies from the consumer brand distribution sector in Europe, a prominent American retailer and a green supply chain company from the USA, highlighting a strong commitment to sustainability and global distribution. We welcome this bid and are confident that the business and its social impact are safe, if not in better hands, with the new management.
Tails Group will, for the foreseeable future, continue its operations within the challenger brand distribution space. The company remains committed to assisting brands from around the world in accessing global markets through an omnichannel approach, providing them with a streamlined, single-window clearance and a unified point of contact for global distribution.
As for myself, I intend to step back from day-to-day executive responsibilities within the business. However, I plan to remain the principal shareholder and retain a position on the board for the foreseeable future. I am currently seeking an inspiring and capable CEO to lead the company, manage its operations, and guide it towards its next phase of growth.
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What are some future plans and new ventures on the horizon?
I am set to join Komerz Ltd as an executive team member to support the company in scaling its operations to the next level. Additionally, I am currently evaluating several offers from private equity firms, venture capitalists, and strategic consulting firms to join their boards as a member and advisor. My role with these entities would focus on originating, negotiating, and executing deals within the consumer brands, retail, and wholesale sectors.
Moreover, I would contribute to shaping strategies for managing portfolio companies, while also designing and facilitating successful exit strategies.
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How do you view the UK-India corridor given this sale?
Having gained extensive experience in the realm of global trade, I am firmly convinced that the UK-India corridor holds immense potential. Both nations stand to gain significantly by accessing each other’s markets, technologies, investment opportunities, and talent pools. On a personal level, I am eager to contribute more to the development of this corridor.
In the coming years, my goal is to invest in and cultivate the consumer brands sector within this corridor, with a focus on facilitating market access for emerging consumer brands from both the UK and India. In fact, several private equity firms with whom I am currently in discussions are aiming to invest in India and assist Indian brands in expanding into the UK and European markets. My expertise in distribution, supply chain management, and my network of customers will play a pivotal role in supporting this initiative.
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How do you reflect upon your entrepreneurial journey from India to the UK?
In 2016, I relocated from India to the UK to pursue an MBA at Strathclyde Business School. The following year, in collaboration with a fellow MBA graduate, I co-founded Tails Trading Group.
I transitioned the business model from a distributor-led approach — focused on securing brand rights without ownership — to a more comprehensive brand portfolio model. This shift enabled us to not only own the brands but also take control of supply and the supply chain wherever possible.
The United Kingdom, with its status as a hub for global commercial insurance, offers not only access to capital but also invaluable expertise and infrastructure, making it one of the premier locations globally to establish and manage a business.
That being said, I am deeply proud of my Indian heritage and have steadfastly maintained my Indian citizenship. Having lived, worked, and travelled extensively across the globe, I hold a long-term ambition to contribute meaningfully to India.
