Investor View

Profile: Foresight

Matt Smith, a partner in Foresight Group’s private equity team, discusses how the firm’s strategy has developed to make an impact on UK-based SMEs, the importance of investing beyond the South, and where it sees opportunity in the current market. By Jennifer Forrest

Estio Training (Palatine)

by James Gregson, impact fund partner. Estio is a Leeds-based IT and digital apprenticeships training provider, with a national sales presence across England. We invested in Estio Training in September 2018, marking the third investment from our Impact fund. We saw an opportunity with the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017, which allowed large businesses to choose their training provider, as opposed to contract value being allocated.

Impact Food Group (Bridges Fund Management)

by Emma Thorne, partner

Organic Growth Masterclass: Relative Insight, backed by Maven Capital Partners

Ben Hookway, CEO of Relative Insight, tells GBI how the text analysis software business has benefitted from the backing of private equity house Maven Capital Partners over the past few years.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Inoapps, backed by BGF

Following its exit from Oracle specialist Inoapps earlier this year, GBI catches up with BGF investor Richard Pugh to discuss how the growth capital provider worked alongside management to grow the business and ultimately deliver a highly successful sale to a US private equity firm.

Investor Profile: Revaia

Growing Business Intelligence talks to Alice Albizzati, co-founder and partner at pan-European growth investor Revaia, about the firm’s investment approach and its recently unveiled board representation initiative, which aims to introduce more diversity and operational expertise to the governance of VC-backed companies.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Bright Network, backed by Maven Capital Partners

Following four years of strong growth with the backing of Maven Capital Partners, technology recruitment platform Bright Network is looking to maintain momentum with more members and an international launch. GBI catches up with founder and CEO James Uffindell to discuss the company's recent journey

Investor Profile: Octopus Ventures

Octopus Ventures is among the UK’s busiest venture and growth capital investors. GBI sits down with partner Malcolm Ferguson to discuss the firm’s origination process, value-add strategy, and its views on the current venture landscape.

Value Creation Summit 2022: “The role we find the hardest to recruit for is the CFO”

Leading PE and VC investors speaking at the Real Deals Value Creation Summit discussed how finding the right CFO for their portfolio companies can be a tough ask, and how the war on talent within the tech space is still rife.

Organic Growth Masterclass: APEM, backed by WestBridge

Environmental consultancy APEM underwent a management buyout (MBO) backed by WestBridge in 2019. CEO Dr Adrian Williams talks to GBI about finding the right funding partner for the company, and the key steps taken to triple the size of the business since then.

Venture Views: Praetura Ventures on providing more than capital

In such an uncertain economic environment, VC firms are having to do more to provide assurances to founders and management teams, beyond their capital investment. Real Deals' Jennifer Forrest hears from Praetura Ventures managing director David Foreman.

Venture Views: venture debt set to proliferate further into UK market

The use of venture debt has proliferated in the UK market as more providers look to provide the finance offering, writes Real Deals' Jennifer Forrest.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Zuto, backed by Scottish Equity Partners

Online car finance service Zuto first turned to growth capital eight years ago to step up its ambitions. Founder and CEO Jim Wilkinson talks to GBI about the company’s growth journey with Scottish Equity Partners, seeing its positive social impact recognised through the B Corp certification, and more.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Codeplay, backed by Foresight

Foresight director Chris Wardle explains how the venture firm helped Scottish software developer Codeplay along its growth trajectory, culminating in a recent sale to Intel delivering a 15.7x return on investment.

Organic Growth Masterclass: AJM Healthcare, backed by WestBridge

WestBridge partner Tim Whittard runs through the steps taken to turbocharge the growth of outsourced wheelchair services provider AJM Healthcare, from succession planning to improving margins and efficiencies

Diversity, equity & inclusion: actionable tips from PE professionals

Four talent specialists at private equity and venture capital firms share best practice on how to truly foster an inclusive work environment that stands out from competitors.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Learndirect, backed by Queen’s Park Equity

Bringing a new sense of discipline and structure is just the first step in unlocking the growth potential of online learning specialist Learndirect, says Queen's Park Equity (QPE) managing partner Jose Rodriguez

Organic Growth Masterclass: Kids Planet, backed by BGF

Taking a minority stake as a supportive investor and driving a three-pronged growth strategy helped transform nursery and education business Kids Planet says Neil Inskip, investor at BGF.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Candela Medical, backed by APAX Private Equity

Making management changes, improving customer service and using digital tools all helped to drive organic growth at global medtech company Candela, says Steven Dyson, APAX partner.

Organic Growth Masterclass: VUES, backed by Arx Equity Partners

Changing the pricing model, improving the management structure and internationalisng the business has driven organic growth at electric motor manufacturer VUES, says Brian Wardrop, managing partner at Arx Equity Partners.

Organic Growth Masterclass: VetPartners, backed by BC Partners

Professionalising the business, creating a strong European presence and digitalising the platform have really helped to drive organic growth at veterinary business VetPartners, says Jean-Baptiste Wautier, partner at BC Partners.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Evergreen, backed by Exponent Private Equity

Recruiting a senior team, focusing on environmental sustainability and investing in brand awareness have all helped to drive organic growth at garden consumables business Evergreen, says Simon Davidson, senior partner at Exponent private equity

Organic Growth Masterclass: Wholebake, backed by Bridges Fund Management

Investing in employees has played a key role in driving organic growth at healthy snack bar company Wholebake, says Tom Redpath, Investment Director & Head of Value Creation at Bridges Fund Management.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Ribble Cycles, backed by True

Redefining the brand, enhancing the customer experience and working with teams have all helped to drive organic growth at Ribble Cycles, says Will Pearson, Portfolio managing director & CFO at True.

Organic Growth Masterclass: InPost, backed by Advent International

Increased accessibility, new management and marketing have delivered organic growth at Polish parcel business InPost, says Nick Rose, managing director of Advent International.

Organic Growth Masterclass: The Reefer Group, backed by Miura Partners

Innovation around sustainability and ESG is one of the factors that have driven organic growth at semi-trailer business The Reefer Group, says Ignacio Moro, Investment Director of Miura Partners.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Binding Site, backed by Nordic Capital

Upgrading the management team, expanding into new markets and driving innovation has enabled organic growth at specialty diagnostic company Binding Site, says Jonas Agnblad, Nordic Capital Partner & Co-head of Healthcare.

Organic Growth Masterclass: The Artisanal Spirits Company, backed by Inverleith

Upgrading the user experience, expanding the product range and pursuing international growth have significantly driven organic growth at the The Artisanal Spirits Company, says Paul Skipworth, Managing Partner at private equity firm Inverleith.

Value Creation Masterclass: Woodall Nicholson, backed by Rutland Partners

Targeting multiple markets has enabled specialist vehicle designer and manufacturer Woodall Nicholson add considerable value to its business, says Jason Birt, Investment Director at Rutland Partners and John Randerson, Chief Technology Officer at Woodall Nicholson.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Logoplaste, backed by The Carlyle Group

Expanding the client base, strengthening the management team and making strategic bolt-ons have helped packaging firm Logoplaste power ahead through organic growth, says Alex Wagenberg, managing director and partner at The Carlyle Group.

Organic Growth Masterclass: musicMagpie, backed by NVM Private Equity

Pivoting to online and rethinking the USP of the business has been key to driving the organic growth of sustainable re-commerce business musicMagpie, says NVM Investment partner Andy Leach.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Collingwod Lighting, backed by Baird Capital

Empowering employees, expanding the product range and improving digital capabilities helped power organic growth at lighting business Collingwood, says Baird Capital’s Partner James Benfield and Director Andy Dyer.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Excelsior, backed by ENACT private equity

Chris Cormack, partner at ENACT, explains how strengthening the team and working more closely with existing customers has helped flexible packaging business Excelsior power ahead.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Grayce, backed by Literacy Capital

Richard Pindar, Chief Investment Officer at Literacy Capital, explains how targeting larger clients and giving the business the confidence and ambition to scale up has been the key to success for business consultancy firm Grayce.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Barber, backed by RJD Partners

Frank Bulman, partner of private equity firm RJD Partners, explains how their portfolio body art business Barber became a leading ecommerce platform in the European tattoo industry.

Organic Growth Masterclass: United Group, backed by BC Partners

Nikos Stathopoulos, Partner of private equity firm BC Partners, explains how organic growth strategies have helped telecoms business United Group deliver outstanding results.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Knjaz Miloš, backed by Mid Europa

Filip Kisdobranski, Operating Executive of private equity firm Mid Europa, explains how new product development helped their portfolio drinks business Knjaz Miloš deliver organic growth.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Avira, backed by Investcorp

Gilbert Kamieniecky, Managing Director of private equity firm Investcorp, explains how their cybersecurity portfolio firm Avira achieved organic growth success.

Organic Growth Masterclass: WIT Fitness, backed by VGC Partners

Andrew Lister, Partner at VGC, explains how WIT followed a four-point strategy to accelerate its growth.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Lintbells, backed by Inflexion Private Equity

Ben Long, Partner at Inflexion, explains how Lintbells secured growth by enhancing its ecommerce platform.

Organic Growth Masterclass: Global Freight Solutions, backed by Phoenix

Richard Daw, Phoenix Equity Managing Partner, explains how Phoenix Equity helped Global Freight Solutions transform its sales and marketing functions to accelerate growth.

Organic Growth Masterclass: DMW Group, backed by Growth Capital Partners

Alexander Thomson, Investment director at Growth Capital Partners, explains how DMW Group secured growth by expanding service offering, maintaining culture and investment in people.