In Brief: NorthEdge; Beever & Struthers; APEM
MANCHESTER and Leeds-based NorthEdge Capital won the fundraising of the year category at the Unquote British Private Equity Awards 2013.
In the last year NorthEdge has raised the largest maiden fund in Europe since 2008, closing at £225m, as well as securing deals with three high-growth Northern businesses.
The firm said competition in the fundraising category was fierce and included the fourth fund from Equistone Partners, the fifth fund from ICG, and seventh fund from Advent International.
Grant Berry, managing partner at NorthEdge, said: “It’s extremely gratifying to see our work in the North of England acknowledged on a national platform. Our current portfolio includes a range of businesses that are really giving back to the region in terms of generating jobs and training opportunities, in addition to expanding their operational reach across the UK and internationally.
“We are very proud of the fact that we managed to raise such a significant fund which is solely dedicated to Northern businesses, during what was a very challenging economic climate. The unquote” win is a great reflection of the efforts of the entire NorthEdge team. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our investors for entrusting their funds to NorthEdge and we will continue to work hard to deliver strong returns on their investment.”
::
ACCOUNTANCY firm Beever & Struthers has been signed up by search and rescue service AirRescue 24 and and humanitarian aid provider, the Al-Imdaad Foundation UK.
The Manchester-based firm with offices in Blackburn and London will provide fundraising advice to AirRescue 24, a charity based in Manchester which uses rapid response aircraft and land-based vehicles to get doctors, firefighters and search and rescue specialists to accidents and emergencies in Cheshire, Merseyside and the North West.
It is also providing fundraising and audit services to Al-Imdaad Foundation UK, an international charitable organisation with its UK offices in Blackburn. Al-Imdaad has offices in 60 countries worldwide including South Africa, Australia, Indonesia and Jordan.
John Jones, head of corporate services at Beever and Struthers, said: “Generating funding is a massive challenge for organisations such as AirRescue 24 and Al-Imdaad Foundation UK in the current economic climate where there is intense competition for limited finance, but we have the experience and expertise to help them and are delighted to be working with such worthy causes.”
::
ENVIRONMENTAL consultancy APEM has been named business of the year at the Stockport Business Awards 2013.
The business, which specialised in freshwater, marine ecology and aerial surveys, won in the cateogry for businesses with sales of more than £5m. In 2012 turnover grew 22% to £7.7m.
It was praised for its “drive to deliver quality, whilst developing new income streams and increased profitability”, as well its “investment into staff”.
Managing director Keith Hendry said: “We’re incredibly proud to win a second business award, especially head to head with businesses of national and international stature. Big thanks are due to our hard working staff for their dedication to the company and for producing consistently high quality work.”
