The BVCA is pleased to announce the winners of the Wales Management Team Awards 2019.

Revealed and presented at a ceremony in Bath last night, these awards are produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP and are our annual showcase for the best businesses in the UK backed by private equity and venture capital.

The full list of winners for the BVCA Wales Management Team Awards 2019:

All of the winners are now automatically entered into the national final where they will compete with other companies from across the country. The national winners will be announced at the BVCA Gala Dinner on 28 November.

Judges' comments

Large Company Management Team
Alcumus Group

Backed by Inflexion Private Equity

Alcumus is a leading UK provider of technology-led compliance and risk management solutions based in Nantgarw, near Cardiff.

Judges’ comments: “Since being appointed in 2017, Alyn Franklin has launched a successful change of culture at the business whilst simultaneously delivering strong growth. Franklin is an excellent leader who has created a business that puts people first. Alcumus’ success in the last year is down to its focus on organic growth, alongside selective acquisition, which has resulted in impressive revenues and EBITDA.”

Mid-Market Management Team
Orbis Education and Care

Backed by August Equity Partners

A provider of education and support for children, young people and adults with a diagnosis of autism, Orbis is headquartered in Pentwyn, Cardiff.

Judges’ comments: “Orbis Education and Care showed fantastic growth in 2018, successfully embedding its acquisitions whilst continuing to grow organically. The team, led by Mike Currier, has grown the business by acquiring and upgrading new sites, new builds, and buying quality businesses that complement the company’s existing services and locations, all the while creating a rewarding company that supports children and adults with autism.”

Growth Management Team
Direct Healthcare Group

Backed by NorthEdge Capital

Based in Caerphilly, Direct Healthcare Group’s is a leading manufacturer of healthcare products and services, focused on patients with reduced movement.

Judges’ comments: “Graham Ewart and his team did an outstanding job in 2018, delivering a significant increase on EBITDA driven by both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. We were particularly impressed with Direct Healthcare Group’s ability to grow given the increasingly competitive environment and NHS budget constraints. The management team is experienced, passionate and ambitious, and is clearly dedicated to delivering award-winning, innovative healthcare solutions.”

Venture-backed Management Team
Vizolution

Backed by Development Bank of Wales and Notion Capital

Vizolution is a multi-award winning provider of customer engagement software.

Judges’ comments: “Bill Safran and his team have built Vizolution into a dynamic, cutting edge software provider. Since winning this award in 2018, Vizolution has grown its UK revenues at an impressive rate, whilst also expanding its footprint overseas and increasing its international revenues. With a management team that has been there since inception, Vizolution has maintained the right culture and has built a team that focuses on creating efficiencies and offering strong customer service.”

Business Transformation Management Team
Frontier Medical Group

Backed by Kester Capital

Frontier Medical is a global supplier of products for the skin/wound care and infection prevention markets, and headquartered in Pontllanfraith.

Judges’ comments: “Simon Jackson and his team have done an outstanding job since the MBO in 2013, developing a family-owned company into a global medical device business. They have made huge progress improving the business, professionalising it, developing the workforce, and introducing ESG initiatives. Business growth was generated at an impressive rate and the team have created a great foundation upon which to achieve significant revenue and EBITDA increases.”

For further information, please contact

Tom Allchorne, Director, Communications, BVCA
+44 (0)20 7492 0407
tallchorne@bvca.co.uk or communications@bvca.co.uk

Notes to editor

1. The BVCA Management Team Awards, produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP, are the only awards to celebrate the achievements of private equity and venture capital-backed management teams. There are eight regions in total, each with their own judging panel, and all winners are automatically forwarded to the national final, the results of which will be presented at the BVCA Annual Gala Dinner at the end of the year in London. Please click here for more information.


2. The Wales judging panel consists of: Chris Allner, Downing; Alexander Crawford, Calculus Capital; Cameron Crockett, Kester Capital; Guy Davies, WestBridge Fund Managers; Edwin Davies, BGF; Julian Dennard, Mercia Fund Managers; Christian Dubé, August Equity; Rhian Elston, Development Bank of Wales; Dewi Hughes, LDC; Richard Shaw, GCP.


3. The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 770 member firms, representing the vast majority of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.


4. Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. These firms help dynamic organisations unlock their potential for growth by providing meaningful, forward-thinking advice. Proactive teams, led by approachable partners in these firms, use insights, experience and instinct to understand complex issues for privately owned, publicly listed and public sector clients and help them to find solutions. More than 35,000 Grant Thornton people, across over 100 countries, are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work. The UK Grant Thornton member firm provides services to over 40,000 privately held businesses, public interest entities and individuals. It is led by more than 185 partners and employs more than 4,200 of the profession's brightest minds. Find out more at www.grantthornton.co.uk.