BGF has passed a major milestone, investing more than \u00a35bn into over 650 businesses across the UK and Ireland since its launch in 2011, as it marks 15 years of backing mid-market growth companies.<\/p>\n
The growth capital investor was created to address a long-standing funding gap for scaling businesses and has since become one of the most active growth investors in the region, operating from 15 offices and backing companies at a range of development stages through minority investments that allow founders and management teams to retain control.<\/p>\n
Today, 74% of BGF\u2019s capital is deployed outside London and the South East, reflecting its regional investment model and focus on supporting growth across the wider UK economy.<\/p>\n
Alongside its investment activity, BGF reports it has generated more than \u00a33.7bn in exit proceeds across over 280 sales and exits, while portfolio companies have delivered \u00a38.2bn in revenue growth and created more than 35,000 jobs.<\/p>\n
Since 2016, its realised exits have delivered a 22.6% gross IRR and a 2x money multiple.<\/p>\n
Seb Saywood, investment partner at BGF in the Midlands said: \u201cIn 2011, BGF was established to respond to a gap in the funding market. Having invested \u00a35bn in more than 650 businesses across every region of the UK, it demonstrates both the scale of the opportunity and BGF\u2019s ability to deliver on that ambition.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur model is intentionally different. We provide long-term capital through minority investments, an approach that resonates with entrepreneurs and management teams in the Midlands, because it allows us to support growth while they remain in control of their business.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur approach is creating meaningful economic impact and delivering sustained outcomes throughout the portfolio. We continue to see a strong pipeline of opportunities across sectors in the region, spanning new investments, follow-on funding and exits. We remain focused on backing ambitious Midlands businesses that are looking to achieve their growth ambitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Midlands, BGF has backed businesses including Blue Light Card, Chase Distillery, Click Travel, Brisant Secure and Skewb, alongside a range of technology and services companies across the region.<\/p>\n
Recent activity in the region includes a \u00a315m investment into Cronofy, a scheduling infrastructure and AI-enabled workflow platform, and funding for Utelize Communications, a Worcestershire-based managed mobility specialist, supporting product development and go-to-market expansion.<\/p>\n
BGF has also recently exited Nottingham-based executive search and talent business Metric Search, delivering a 4.1x money multiple and a 138% IRR.<\/p>\n
Jill Williams, portfolio partner at BGF said: \u201cThis is a significant milestone for BGF. Over 15 years, we have created a broad and diversified portfolio and a track record of successful exits with strong returns. BGF is hugely experienced in working with our portfolio businesses to create value beyond investment through access to expertise, the experience of our Talent Network, and being part of our growing portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n
BGF has two offices in the Midlands based in Nottingham and Birmingham.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Growth investor marks 15 years backing more than 650 UK and Ireland businesses<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2095049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53262],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2112296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news","tag-featured-story","tag-greater-birmingham","tag-nottinghamshire"],"yoast_head":"\n