The BVCA has kicked off its awards season by naming the winners of the South East Management Team Awards 2019.
These awards, produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP, are our annual showcase for the best businesses in the UK backed by private equity and venture capital. Taking place throughout the year and across the country, last night saw the South East winners revealed at the BVCA’s Chair’s Dinner in London.
* Special acknowledgement for Large Company Management Team: Civica, backed by Partners Group All five winners will now go forward to the national final to compete with the winners of our other regional finals, with the national champions to be presented with their awards at the BVCA Gala Dinner at the end of the year.
Backed by 3i
Based in Hailsham, East Sussex, Aspen Pumps designs, manufactures and distributes specialised mini pumps that remove condensate water from air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Judges’ comments: “Adrian Thompson is leading a company that has remained simple and pragmatic, whilst expanding both locally and internationally. He and his team are driving a new phase of growth and are looking to expand into new territories having already, and impressively, established themselves in the US market.”
Backed by Partners Group
Headquartered in London, Civica provides business-critical software, digital solutions and technology-based outsourcing services.
Judges’ comments: “Despite operating in a challenging sector, Simon Downing and his team have sustained above-market performance through the successful execution of a clear growth strategy. Civica’s ability to continue to grow and deliver value through its various different private equity buyouts, as well as an IPO and a public-to-private buyout, is particularly impressive.”
Backed by Livingbridge
From its head office in Dummer, Hampshire, Southern Communications provides SMEs across the UK with a range of services including fixed-line, data, mobile and cloud-based services alongside sale, installation and maintenance of telephone systems.
Judges’ comments: “When Southern Communications first came to market, Paul Bradford and his dynamic management team already had a clear objective of what they wanted to achieve and they have executed their plan fantastically. Their EBITDA growth is stellar and the long-standing management team are brilliant, loyal to the business, self-sufficient, and have huge levels of ambition.”
Backed by Synova Capital
Based in Hemel Hempstead, 4ways is a multi-accredited provider of remote radiology reporting services.
Judges’ comments: “Ajay Chadha and his team have created a radiology reporting service that places clinical excellence first. There has been a strong focus on creating a good and collaborative senior management team and this has led to remarkable returns for their investors. 4ways Healthcare is continuing to go from strength to strength, with ambitions to expand into new territories.”
Backed by Albion VC
Egress, headquartered in London, specialises in data security, helping people receive, manage, and share information securely without friction.
Judges’ comments “Tony Pepper and Neil Larkins built Egress Software Technologies from the ground up and have navigated and grown the business through various stages of investment. There aren’t many UK-based SaaS businesses generating their levels of revenue, and the investment from a US investor, FTV Capital, in December is a great indication of their success and ambition.”
Backed by Phoenix Equity Partners
From its base in Worthy, West Sussex, Rayner is a developer and manufacturer of ophthalmic implants and pharmaceuticals.
Judges’ comments: “Neils de Coninck Smith and his team set out a clear vision and direction for Rayner that they have executed extremely well. This is reflected in their strong financial performance figures and their phenomenal expansion overseas. Worthy of significant praise is Rayner’s work in the developing world supporting cataract treatment and surgery.”
Tom Allchorne, Director, Communications, BVCA +44 (0)20 7492 0407 tallchorne@bvca.co.uk or communications@bvca.co.uk
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE BVCA
+44 (0)20 7492 0400
TOM ALLCHORNE, DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS BVCA
tallchorne@bvca.co.uk