BGF

Episode five of The Good Growth Podcast is live! ?? This week, we sit down with Grant Keenan, Founder of Keenan Recycling, to explore his family business’s evolution—from humble composting operation to national industry leader, culminating in its recent exit to Biffa. In this episode, Grant dives into: ? His ‘lightbulb’ moment —leading the charge in recycling food waste before it was mandatory in Scotland. ? Securing investment from BGF to de-risk his family business and unlock ambitious growth. ? Sustainable growth, powering trucks with collected food waste to cut carbon emissions by 98%. ? Navigating an exit — from knowing when the time is right to identifying the metrics that matter. Have a listen if you’re a founder considering investment, preparing for an exit, or simply looking to drive your business forward. ?? ??Watch here: https://lnkd.in/ektRmQma ??Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eQAfQyFN #GoodGrowthPodcast #BGF #Sustainability #FamilyBusiness #ScaleUp #NetZero #Innovation

We’re investing in OCL Vision, a high-growth ophthalmology group founded by industry-leading eye surgeons, setting new standards in private eye care. Here’s why we’re excited: ???Booming market – UK private ophthalmology is a ￡590m sector, and OCL Vision is growing fast, with double-digit patient and revenue growth in 2024. ???Award-winning care – Named Best Healthcare Outcomes by LaingBuisson Awards 2024. ???Scaling-up – From one site to three, with new locations on the way—our investment?is fuelling?expansion, marketing, and sales growth. ???Powerhouse leadership – With Nik Rudge (CEO), Darren Millington (CFO), and Suzanne Lawrence (Non-Exec Chair) joining the team, OCL Vision is ready for the next stage of growth. To discover how OCL Vision is revolutionising eye care—read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/epauKrMz #InvestmentNews #BGF #HealthcareInvestment #DealNews

BGF Investor Linda Nguyenova has recently joined The Lifted Project board in Leeds. ?? With five regional boards across key UK cities, this initiative is leveraging local data to share knowledge, create robust networks, and community to offer practical support to female entrepreneurs scaling their ventures. We’re especially thrilled to see this focus strengthening the business community in West Yorkshire. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/ewCpitcR #BoardMember #Yorkshire #InvestmentNorthEast #BusinessCommunity #TheLiftedProject

?? The countdown is on! It's now one month until the 2025 Rainmakers Conference – the ultimate event for the dealmaking community across the Midlands and the North of England. BGF is excited to partner with TheBusinessDesk.com to support this year’s event which will bring together the region's most influential entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. ?? 26 March ?? The Point, Manchester With over 350 Rainmakers attending, the BGF team will be on the ground, ready to connect with fellow dealmakers, share insights, and explore new opportunities. Don’t leave it until the last minute - last year's conference was a sell-out so make sure to get your ticket soon.? F?ull details here: https://lnkd.in/ef3KE8Wu

BGF has completed the successful exit of our investment in Independent Forgings and Alloys Ltd (IFA)?– a powerhouse in the global aerospace industry. Since BGF's backing in 2018, the business has more than doubled its revenues, expanded its footprint and solidified its position as?the?go-to supplier for mission-critical components across aerospace, defence and oil & gas. IFA is a fantastic “made-in-Sheffield” success story. Now, as?the business embarks?on its next chapter,?we’re proud to have been part of this incredible growth journey.????? Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eJ_4t5pC #BGF #ExitStory #SuccessfulExit #IFA

A warm welcome to Rosaleen Blair, CBE who has joined the BGF Board as Non-Executive Director.? ? Rosaleen Blair said: “As the most active institutional investor in female-led scaleup companies and with strong credentials in social mobility and supporting underrepresented groups, BGF has solid foundations in areas that I remain deeply passionate about. I am looking forward to working with the Board and the team to support BGF’s growing impact in these areas.”? We’re delighted to have Rosaleen’s expertise and leadership as we continue to support the growth potential of British and Irish businesses. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/em2ZEaMt ? #Leadership #GrowthCapital #InvestingInWomen #Entrepreneurship #BGF #ScalingBusinesses

??We’re proud to have taken part in a $142m funding round for OrganOx a pioneering British MedTech company revolutionising organ transplantation. ??BGF has invested across six rounds of follow-on investment since 2019, bringing total investment to ￡34.5m to date, providing critical funding to help OrganOx scale. ?? The University of Oxford spin-out has seen 'phenomenal' growth and has successfully broken into the US MedTech market. ??Co-head of Early Stage Tim Rea said: “In the UK there is a critical lack of informed support for early stage businesses generally, and the gap is particularly acute in categories like medtech where it is hard to name a single specialist investor in the UK. The UK is short of investors that can write larger cheques into late-stage companies, but comparatively that funding is more readily available for those companies that deserve it, and this is clearly demonstrated by OrganOx. The real challenge in the UK is to provide sustained support through the early stages of development as we’ve done with OrganOx across six rounds of funding over the past six years. If we want to see more companies in the Government’s key industrial sectors thrive, this is a funding gap that must be addressed." ??Thanks to Richard Tyler at The Times for covering news of the funding round. Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/eNnXX4u6 #MedTech #Investment #Innovation #OrganTransplant #PrivateCapital #HealthTech #LifeSciences

Congratulations to NBP Ltd, which has opened its fifth ‘super’ depot in Hemel Hempstead, as part of an ambitious nationwide roll-out. Since its founding in 2010, the BGF-backed company has experienced rapid growth as a leading distributor of building products, known for its innovative operating model and exceptional customer service. BGF made its first investment in 2021, and since then, NBP has broadened its reach with new depots in Leeds and Bolton. The latest 25,000 sq. ft. site, located in the south of England, follows the successful launches of super depots in Birtley and Hinckley. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ewJCJnzm? #RollOut #BGF #Investment #GrowthStories

Walker Group has appointed George Adams as its new CEO!??? ? George is a real asset, bringing with him over four decades of complex aerospace engineering and manufacturing expertise, as well as over 20 years of experience in senior leadership and executive roles. ? It's a pleasure to support Walker Group as it continues its impressive growth trajectory, and we can't wait to see what's in store for the company as it reaches new heights.??? ? Read the full story here:?https://lnkd.in/gXRTjart ? #WalkerPrecisionEngineering #BGF #Appointment #CEO

Join us for an exclusive webinar designed to demystify growth capital for female-led scale-up businesses. Hosted by BGF Investors Hannah King (Waters) and Lucy Edwardes Jones, this session will provide a deep dive into the fundamentals of growth capital—what it is, how it works, and how it can help ambitious businesses scale. ?? Key topics: ??The role of growth capital in business expansion ??When and why to consider raising investment ??How to prepare for the fundraising process ??BGF’s unique approach to investment and value creation ?? Tuesday 11 March |?? 10-11am | ?? Online ?Sign up now. ??? https://lnkd.in/ef9QpZEP #InvestInWomen #FemaleFounders #GrowthCapital #ScaleUp #WomenInBusiness #BGF #Entrepreneurship?