Brian Blake

Brian Blake is a Principal at Riverarch Equity Partners, a Pittsburgh-based middle-market private equity firm affiliated with PNC. Riverarch’s own team page lists him as Principal and provides his direct Riverarch email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile.

Blake rejoined Riverarch in July 2019. Before that, he worked in New York for Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, a global infrastructure private equity firm, where he focused on transportation and environmental services. Earlier in his career, he also worked at Riverarch.

He received a BBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and an MBA from Columbia Business School. His Riverarch bio says he was previously a director of Painters Supply & Equipment Co. and is currently a director of Barr GeoSpatial Solutions/Forsite, Fresh Direct Produce, Forta, Hill Country Dairies, and The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley. TCP Analytical’s leadership page also lists Blake on its board of directors.

Riverarch was founded in 2011 and states that it has invested $1.7 billion into more than 40 portfolio companies, completed 40 platform acquisitions and more than 130 add-on acquisitions, and is investing from PNC Riverarch IV, a $1 billion private equity partnership.

• Riverarch invests in “market leading companies,” usually where strong market position is backed by strong financial performance.
• Platform targets generally have $5 million to $30 million of EBITDA, up to $300 million of enterprise value, and need $25 million to $150 million of equity capital.
• The firm focuses on high-margin distribution, food and beverage, business and consumer services, franchising, and specialized manufacturing.
• Riverarch emphasizes partnering with management, leaving management responsible for operating the business, and supporting growth with strategic support and capital.
• The firm’s growth playbook includes organic growth, add-on acquisitions, entering new market segments, geographic expansion, and expanded commercial resources.
• Blake’s own deal comments highlight platform quality, strategic product and geographic expansion, service-line expansion, and building acquisition platforms.