The senior managers of The Company of Animals have acquired a majority stake in Billy+Margot in a strategic move to create a powerful new force in the pet industry.

The Company of Animals have expanded rapidly in the last few years with its specialist dog training and behaviour ranges and the partnership with Billy+Margot will open up their global customer base access to a unique range of premium dog food and treats.

Steve Driver, Managing Director of The Company of Animals says: "Billy+Margot bring fantastic innovation to the pet food sector, it's a brand driven by its core values and an obsession with quality. Our partnership will see our sales and marketing efforts combined to ensure the range is more widely available. We are very excited at the prospect of working alongside Marie as she has got an amazing passion and drive for her business as well as an educational background that enables her to bring brand new ideas and concepts to the pet food market going forward'

Founded just over three years ago by Marie Sawle, Billy+Margot found instant fame following Marie's appearance on BBC Dragons' Den. She secured a large investment from Deborah Meaden who saw massive potential in the first ever Iced treat for dogs. Since then, Billy+Margot have developed many other dog products including a range of venison treats, training biscuits, popcorn with seaweed, fish treats and, more recently, a range of complete wet food. All along Marie ensured that all new products were manufactured using the highest quality ingredients sourced in the UK. As part of the new deal, Deborah will exit having seen her investment grow threefold in as many years.

Deborah says: "Marie has created and built a superb business which has held true to its values of Quality and Innovation. I am very proud to have been part of their early journey and confident the new partnership are well placed to seriously impact this huge and growing market."

Marie says: "I am delighted to be joining such a strong, professional and passionate team but more importantly for me was that we share the same ethics in our vision for the future of the business."

These values have helped the brand become a household name and Billy+Margot products are now sold in nearly 700 outlets in the UK and has achieved more recent export success with retail outlets and distributors in Europe and the Middle East.

New products are about to be launched and the tie-up with The Company of Animals will enable these to be introduced to a far greater number of stockists in the UK and abroad.

Pictured: Dr Roger Mugford, Paul Nolan with Fudge, Marie Sawle with Margot, Steve Driver and Paul Marshall.