BGF exits social care specialist
Investor BGF has announced the exit of Antser Group, a tech-driven provider of assessments and social care training, following a management buy-out (MBO) backed by YFM Equity Partners (YFM).
BGF, the UK and Ireland’s largest capital investor, originally invested £8.5m in Antser Group in September 2021.
Headquartered in the Midlands and with offices in Bristol and Nottingham, Antser Group has two strands to the business – Carter Brown and Antser Learning.
Carter Brown is a provider of independent psychological, psychiatric and social work assessments for child-related safeguarding.
Antser Learning is a VR-led ‘behaviour change’ training tool for front-line children’s care practitioners, enabling learners to experience the impact of trauma through the eyes of children and young people.
The transactions follow on from BGF’s partial exit of the business in 2022 and was led by CEO Richard Dooner and will support the further development of its people proposition and new service offerings, along with acquisitions to accelerate growth.
Richard Dooner, CEO of The Antser Group, said: “BGF’s investment in 2021 helped us to lay strong foundations for future growth. What’s more, their support during the investment period has given the management team the confidence to take over the reins, as we strive to achieve our strategic ambitions in the coming years.
“Our business was born out of a desire to achieve positive change in the health and social care sectors through a connected and transformative approach. In the years since our founding, we have combined best practices with innovation and new and emerging technologies, so that we can lead the way in ‘doing things better’. Our goal now is to take our talent and technology and apply it to support better outcomes for even more children, families, vulnerable adults and communities.”
Nick Holder, investor at BGF , said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Richard and the management team, as part of their ongoing growth journey, culminating in a successful exit for all stakeholders.
“The MBO not only demonstrates BGF’s flexibility when it comes to exit routes, but it will enable the well-established team to continue to move forward positively, as they strive towards their ambitious strategic goals. We wish the business every success in the future.”
Cooper Parry provided sell-side advisory work, and vendor tax advice was provided by PwC. Legal advice was provided by Mills & Reeve and Shoosmith.
