BVCA and E&Y publish fourth annual portfolio company report

The BVCA, in association with Ernst & Young, has published the fourth annual report on the performance of the largest UK companies owned by private equity firms in 2010 as recommended by the Walker Guidelines for Disclosure and Transparency in Private Equity.

This year the report analyses 60 portfolio companies, up from 43 in the previous year, representing 373,430 jobs, 77% of which are located in the UK.

Highlights of the study include:

Trading performance grew by 5% when measured by revenue and by 2% when measured by EBITDA, versus the prior year;
Organic employment increased by 0.2% during the year and by 1.7% since the time of acquisition;
Labour productivity increased by 0.3% in 2010 and by 5% per annum from acquisition to latest date, well ahead of the UK economy wide rate of 2%;
Operating capital productivity grew by 7% per annum from acquisition to latest date, ahead of sector-weighted FTSE benchmark, which declined by 0.6%;
R&D spending rose by 159% since acquisition and represents 6.8% of capital expenditure by those companies.

Mark Florman, Chief Executive of the BVCA, said:

"Coming at a time when economic growth is needed more than ever this study confirms the positive impact private equity can have on business. By creating value in the companies in which it invests, private equity is playing a vital role in the real economy by building better, more sustainable business, creating jobs and driving innovation both here in the UK and across the world."

Harry Nicholson, Private Equity Partner who led the Ernst & Young team, added:

"The main finding is that the larger number of portfolio companies performed well in 2010 with positive growth in revenue, profits and productivity - consistent with prior years' reports. The report finds no systematic evidence of private equity ownership being associated with reduction in employment or investing, and strong evidence of growth in labour and capital productivity."

To view the full report, please click here

For media enquiries please contact:

Oliver Morris, BVCA: + 44(0)20 7420 1805, omorris@bvca.co.uk
Adam Holden, Ernst & Young, aholden@uk.ey.com

Notes to editors
The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 450 member firms, representing the overwhelming number of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.

Download:
Fourth annual portfolio company report