Origin Merchant Partners, an independent investment bank, announced a strategic acquisition of Consensus, a U.S.-based consumer-focused investment banking firm with offices in Boston and New York. The combination creates Consensus Consumer, a dedicated consumer-focused division of Origin, aimed at serving founder-led, family-owned, and private-equity-backed consumer and retail brands across cross-border sales, capital raises, and strategic transitions in the middle market.
The deal adds 20 professionals to Origin’s team, including 8 senior professionals and 12 senior industry advisors, led by Consensus founder Michael A. O’Hara, who will take on the role of Chair, Origin U.S. Consensus, founded in 2006, has advised on transactions involving brands such as Nine West, Timex Group, Toys ‘R’ Us, Moda Operandi, Lenox, Kohl’s, and Jewelry Television, and more recently advised on the sale of Everlane to SHEIN, Carbon Beauty’s sale to Front Row Group, Round2’s acquisition of Lionel Trains, and the sale of The Brandhouse Collective to Bed, Bath & Beyond. The combined firm will expand Origin’s presence across Boston, Chicago, and New York, alongside its existing Canadian offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver, adding specializations across retail, branded consumer, beauty, lifestyle, food and beverage, apparel and footwear, luxury goods, restaurants, and consumer health.
The two firms have previously collaborated through their membership in The Terra Alliance, including on the sale of a controlling interest in Spence Diamonds to TriWest Capital Partners in 2025 and Origin’s advisory role for Andrew Peller Limited’s $0.6 billion sale to Fairfax. The Consensus acquisition marks Origin’s third transaction in four years and its second in the United States. Origin operates across Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Montreal, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver with a team of more than 80 professionals.
KEY QUOTES:
“This transaction brings together Consensus’s world-class focus on high-growth consumer businesses with Origin’s own extensive consumer experience. Consensus brings exceptional sector depth, a long track record in consumer M&A, and a highly respected team led by Mike O’Hara.”
Jim Osler, Co-Chair, Origin Merchant Partners
“We are thrilled to join Origin at a time of renewed momentum in the consumer sector. Origin’s platform, culture, and cross-border capabilities are a perfect fit for our team. This combination is a force-multiplier for Consensus’s leading consumer practice.”
Michael A. O’Hara, Founder and Managing Member, Consensus
