Investment firm BGF opens Nottingham office
Investment firm BGF has launched an East Midlands office in Nottingham at City Gate East, Nottingham.
BGF has invested close to £100m in companies across the region since 2011, including SDL Group, The Coaching Inn Group, GCI, Rutland Cycling and Johnsons Aggregates. Earlier this month, BGF announced its latest investment into Nottingham-headquartered Muscle Food, a high-growth online delivery and subscription service for health-conscious eaters.
BGF investors Ian Downing and Jonathan Earl will relocate to the Nottingham office. Between them, they have 30 years’ experience working in the East Midlands investment community, and joined BGF in 2011 and 2013 respectively. They will be joined by Seb Saywood who has more than 10 years’ experience working in the East Midlands investment community.
Saywood joins BGF from Foresight Group. Prior to that, he worked in corporate finance lead advisory at Clearwater International and trained in restructuring as a chartered accountant.
BGF has opened 11 offices across the UK & Ireland since 2011, including Nottingham and Birmingham, and employs a team of 150 investors, portfolio managers and support staff.
BGF provides capital to businesses with revenues typically between £5m and £100m in exchange for a minority, non-controlling stake.
Downing said: “The launch of BGF’s Nottingham office signals our intent to provide capital to more businesses in the East Midlands. Having already invested almost £100m in the region, there is potential to do more to support businesses located here – from manufacturers and industrial services providers to tech, healthcare, hospitality companies and more.”
Saywood said: “I am delighted to be joining such an experienced and respected team who have an excellent reputation for being approachable, supportive investors.
“There is a strong emphasis on backing excellent management teams with a differentiated investment approach that includes making longer-term, minority investments. It is a very compelling proposition for ambitious businesses. Opening the East Midlands office demonstrates BGF’s confidence in a region that I know contains rich entrepreneurial talent and a very strong professional community.”
Adrian Thirkill, chief executive of BGF-backed GCI said: “BGF brought something new and additive to the UK investment industry. Since 2012, they have provided GCI with cash to grow, guidance and professional support – without taking control. We’ve also been able to draw on their extensive network throughout each stage of GCI’s growth.”
