WestBridge

We are delighted to have been nominated in three categories of the North West Dealmakers Awards: 🏆 International Deal of the Year – APEM Group’s acquisition of Biosis 🏆 Deal of the Year (£50 Million ) – Our sale of Eque2 to Bowmark Capital 🏆 Dealmaker of the Year - Peter Barkley, who heads our Manchester office This year marks the 30th anniversary of these highly respected regional awards which celebrate the achievements of the North West’s leading corporate financiers, accountants, bankers, funders, lawyers and M&A professionals. The nine judges reviewed a record number of entries (over 330) so we are especially pleased to have been selected in these three categories. We would like to congratulate all the other finalists and are looking forward to seeing you at the awards dinner in October. #dealmakers Insider Media #privateequity #privateequityfirms

After spending 27 years in publicly listed businesses, David Lowe embraced the opportunity to lead a management buyout of Survey Solutions in December 2023, backed by WestBridge. In this piece, he explains why he believes there is immense potential for transformation in the fragmented world of surveying through consolidation and innovation. https://lnkd.in/eeDuDVgq #MBO #privateequity #privateequityfirm #privateequityfunding #surveying

The Summer edition of South East Business Insider includes an in-depth feature about the appetite for deals in the region. Titled ‘Cautious optimism’, Jess L. was asked for her views and features extensively throughout the piece. Although the appetite for risk remains more cautious than pre-pandemic times, she explains that WestBridge is seeing an uptick in deal activity with quality businesses coming to market and investors engaging in competitive processes. The piece went to press just before the General Election and when asked about the likely impact, Jess was given the last word in the article, reassuring stakeholders that WestBridge was prepared for all eventualities. https://lnkd.in/eveF9wac #privateequity #privateequityfirm

It was great to see Peter Barkley featured in the latest edition of Corporate Financier, which is published by the corporate finance faculty of the ICAEW and edited by Marc Mullen. Peter is quoted extensively throughout the article, which takes a deep dive into what’s driving the recent divergence between private equity and trade valuations. One of the views he expresses is that, “Private equity would rather pay a high quality multiple for a high quality business than take a bargain for a mediocre business”. The piece also takes a look at where the market is likely to head in the future. You can read the piece on the attached or access the whole magazine here. https://lnkd.in/dnnwxfd #privateequity #privateequityfirms #ICAEW

Alpine Fire Engineers Ltd Fire Engineers has announced the appointment of Martin Hargreaves as its Chief Financial Officer. With over 30 years’ industry experience across a range of sectors, Martin will work closely with stakeholders to create value through both organic and inorganic growth. His previous roles include seven years as Chief Financial Officer at the UK’s largest online only bathroom retailer, and four years at a leading schoolwear and sportswear distributor as Finance Director. Martin also spent nearly five years at Deloitte as an Audit Supervisor. Commenting on his appointment, Martin said: “It feels like the perfect time to join Alpine Fire Engineers, to utilise the skills and experience I have acquired during my career to provide the financial insights that will help continue the company’s upward trajectory. “I’m also proud to be joining an organisation that places people and the planet in such high regard, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will continue to make right across the industry through its sustainability endeavours.” CEO of Alpine Fire Engineers, Steven Nanda, added: “I am delighted that Martin has joined Alpine, at a landmark moment in our journey. He brings a wealth of experience which will be pivotal in the next phase of Alpine’s growth, and the fact he has worked across a range of sectors will undoubtedly prove invaluable.” #privateequityfirm #privateequityinvestment #fastgrowthbusiness

Billed as ‘recognising and celebrating authentic ESG change in private equity’, we are thrilled to have been shortlisted in two categories of the Real Deals ESG Awards 2024:  - PE House of the Year: Mid-Cap (average deal size under £100m) - PE House of the Year: Small-Cap   We wish all other finalists the very best and look forward to the awards evening in October. #privateequity #privateequityfirm

Earlier this year, we were delighted to welcome Sam Smith as a fund accountant. Based in our Cardiff office, Sam is responsible for preparing consolidated accounts and investor reporting. Find out a little more about him here https://lnkd.in/e5DBEHRW #privateequity #privateequityfirms

The sixth annual Thames Valley Tech & Innovation Awards, organised by The Business Magazine - South East, took place last night.   Created to showcase the outstanding achievements of businesses across the region, it attracted a record number of entries from a wide range of sectors. Software developers, telecoms providers, hardware suppliers, manufacturers, cloud solutions companies, people working in science, artificial intelligence and space technology were all among the finalists.   We were thrilled to see portfolio company Techex receive the Innovative Tech Award, sponsored by Blake Morgan LLP, and also make the shortlist in three other categories (high growth, international and sustainable tech company).   Non-executive chair Mark Sutherland, who was a finalist in the Tech Leader category, said:   “It’s been a phenomenal year for us. This follows on from us winning the Innovation of the Year award at the broadcast industry’s major event just a couple of months ago. "What’s amazing is that a small company based in Bracknell is behind all of the major live sports events on the planet! We are helping big broadcasters and well known brands transition from the ‘old world’ TV to the new world of the cloud and internet, safely and securely. "Looking ahead, we will continue to expand internationally with the added support of our investors, WestBridge.” Congratulations to all involved! #techawards #privateequityinvestment #privateequityfirm #techinvestment

We are thrilled to report that portfolio company Techex has made the shortlist in five categories of the Thames Valley Tech & Innovation Awards:   -       High Growth Tech Company -       International Tech Company -       Sustainable Tech Company -       Tech Employer of the Year Additionally, Mark Sutherland, non-exec chair of Techex has been shortlisted for the Tech Leader of the Year award. Organised by The Business Magazine - South East, these fiercely contested awards recognise the wealth of tech talent in the Thames Valley region. Winners will be revealed on tomorrow. Good luck Techex! #privateequity #privateequityfirms #awards #bvca

We are delighted to announce the promotions of Rebecca Sinclair and Luke Gilbert. Rebecca Sinclair, who joined WestBridge in 2019, has been promoted to investment director. Over the past four years she has played a key role in many transactions, including the investment in Survey Solutions in December and the buy and build activities at APEM Group. She sits on the board of both companies. Luke Gilbert has been promoted to investment manager. Luke joined WestBridge in 2023 and supports the investment team with deal origination, deal execution and portfolio management. He joined WestBridge from US headquartered investment bank, Stephens. Luke is a key member of the Survey Solutions investment team, working closely with Rebecca, and supporting the business as it deploys the WestBridge value creation model. Guy Davies, managing partner at WestBridge, said: “WestBridge has attracted an exceptionally high-quality team that works in partnership to deliver arguably market leading outcomes for our investors and management teams. Our team culture is a key ingredient of our success and therefore I am delighted to be able to announce Rebecca and Luke’s promotions. As with all our team members, they have strongly contributed to the firm’s DNA and consequential success. The promotions are well deserved.” These promotions follow a successful twelve months during which we’ve completed seven transactions, including two new platform investments. #privateequity #privateequityfirm #bvca #promotions