Funding will support the family-owned reptile specialist enhance its US market presence.
BGF has completed a multi-million-pound minority investment in Monkfield Reptile, the UK’s leading specialist supplier of reptile nutrition, lighting and habitat products.
Founded by Jo Wise in 1980 as Monkfield Nutrition, the family-owned group has evolved into Monkfield Reptile, an internationally recognised industry leader providing food, specialist equipment and livestock to the reptile trade. Headquartered near Ely, Cambridgeshire, the business has now surpassed £27m in revenue and employs 135 staff across a portfolio of specialist brands including Arcadia, HabiStat and Monkfield Nutrition.
Monkfield Reptile supplies more than 1,500 products to customers in 35 countries worldwide, from major retailers and leading online platforms to independent pet stores, specialist outlets, zoos and wildlife centres, supported by a network of distributors. In the US, the group trades through its American business, Arcadia Reptile Inc. Monkfield has grown both organically and through acquisitions, including tortoise breeder and supplier Zoological International.
“We’re delighted to partner with BGF as we begin the next chapter of Monkfield’s growth. For more than 40 years we’ve been committed to supporting our trade partners, from independent stores to major retailers and distributors around the world, and that commitment doesn’t change.”
Matt Negus
CEO of Monkfield Reptile
The investment will support Monkfield Reptile’s ambitious international growth plans, including continued product innovation, further investment in its service to customers across the UK and Europe, and accelerating growth in the US, where products are already stocked by leading US retailers and independent stores nationwide.
Matt Negus, CEO of Monkfield Reptile, continued: “BGF shares our long-term vision and understands what makes an independent business like ours special. Their backing will help us invest further in our customers in the UK and Europe and accelerate our plans in the US, where we see significant demand for high-quality, welfare-led reptile products. We’re also delighted to welcome Rebecca to the board and Paul as our Chairman.”
Paul Miley is appointed Chairman of Monkfield Reptile, having supported the business since 2025. He brings 30 years’ experience in the pet sector, including key roles at Mars Petcare Europe, Chief Executive of Burgess Pet Care and Chair of the pet food trade association the PFMA (UK Petfood) and forerunner to PIF the Pet Care Trust. He sits on the board of The Nutriment Company and through his consulting firm, has supported over 50 M&A transactions in the category.
Rebecca DeNiro also joins the board as a Non-Executive Director, via the BGF Talent Network. An experienced chair and board director with a focus on driving growth and transformation, Rebecca’s previous roles include Chief Executive of Pure Electric and Managing Director of Dyson GB & Ireland, following senior commercial roles at Reckitt and PepsiCo. She currently sits on the boards of Norcros plc, Regatta and Riverford Organic Farmers, and chairs Ribble Cycles.
Matt Connor, Investor at BGF, said: “Monkfield Reptile is a fantastic example of a specialist, founder-led business that has built real expertise and loyalty in its sector. Jo, Matt and the team have an exceptional reputation with retailers and keepers alike, which has yielded long-standing customer relationships and laid the foundations for international growth. We look forward to supporting the organisation as they grow.”
