Investment marks end of ‘succesful’ year for YFM

YFM Group is marking the end to another “challenging but successful” year by backing the £3.5m management buy-in (MBI) of Deep-Secure.

YFM is one of four funders to back the all equity deal, which will enable further technological development of the firm’s market leading security products.

Chandon Fund, British Smaller Companies VCT and British Smaller Technology Companies VCT2 have also invested.

This is the third investment YFM has completed involving Deep-Secure chairman Richard Beaton following the success of North West-based businesses Intuita and Tekton Group.

Reading-based Deep-Secure chief executive Kieron Sambrook-Smith previously worked together with Mr Beaton at Boldon James.

Nigel Barraclough, investment director of YFM, said: “We are delighted to be working with Richard again.

“His expertise, acumen and attitude provide the grounds for a great working relationship whenever we work together. Deep-Secure is going to be an interesting and exciting company to work with, the future developments will see ground-breaking technology reach highly sensitive markets, changing the way companies defend their intelligence.”

Mr Beaton said: “During my last two ventures I developed a strong relationship with YFM.

“Both parties have a mutual understanding of how and where we see the business propositions going, even when times get incredibly tough YFM can still be relied upon and I hope to work with them again in the future.”

In 2009 funds managed by YFM Group completed 74 investments in deals worth £49m across the UK.