10 Jul 2012

Brian Davidson scoops CEO of the Year Award


Tonight (6th July) the BVCA Management Team Awards recognises the success stories of the private equity and venture capital industry. Among the winners tonight is discount retail chain Poundland, which has seen sustained and impressive growth under the leadership of Jim McCarthy, with the backing of Warburg Pincus. Poundland had been the regional winner in the Large Buyout category for the Midlands and fought off strong competition from the likes of Travelex and Merlin Entertainments to win the prize.

Winning the inaugural Community and Environmental Action Award is Bluestone Resort, backed by Finance Wales. Bluestone’s commitment to sustainability has proved to be a key factor in its success. Foremost among the company’s environmental initiatives is its pioneering use of renewable, carbon neutral energy in the form of biomass. Bluestone is benefitting from the clean energy crops grown in the fields of a dozen local farmers. The initiative reduces annual carbon dioxide emissions by 3,000 tonnes.

The coveted CEO of the Year award is awarded to Brian Davidson of decorating brand Crown Paint, backed by Endless Private Equity. After coming into the loss-making UK paint company in September 2008, Endless and management managed to achieve a £35 million improvement in profitability, despite the difficult economic environment and global recession.

Bill Priestley, Managing Director of LGV Capital and Chair of the National Judging Panel, said: “With over 200 organisations considered this year picking an overall winner has been a great challenge. The level of talent and entrepreneurial zeal that has been demonstrated over the past few months assures me of the resilience and dynamism of our industry in these troubled economic times. The winners have shown exceptional qualities to stand out among such a truly impressive field.”

Mark Florman, Chief Executive of the BVCA, added: “The management teams here tonight represent the best our industry has to offer, their companies have not only survived the recent economic turmoil, but positively thrived. These are the only awards in the country which celebrate the achievements of companies that are backed by private equity and venture capital, and ultimately it is their performance which makes our industry thrive. Congratulations to all the winners.”

The full list of winners is as below:

Winner 
Backed by 
Category 
Poundland Warburg Pincus
and now GHO Capital
Large Company   Team
Aston Carter Baird Capital Partners Mid-Market Team 
Skyscanner Scottish Equity Partners Venture or Growth Company Team 
Wiggle ISIS exited Bridgepoint Capital Exit Management Team of the Year
Wood MacKenzie Charterhouse International Impact Management Team of the Year
Bluestone Resort Finance Wales Community & Environmental Action Award
Brian Davidson, Crown Pant Endless Private Equity CEO of the Year

Commendations were also awarded to Biovex, backed by Scottish Equity Partners in the venture capital-backed category; Nomad backed by Amadeus Capital Partners for the International Impact Management Team of Year and Forrest in the Community & Environmental Action Award who are backed by LDC.



Notes to editor
  1. The BVCA Management Team Awards are the only awards to recognise the positive impact of private equity and venture capital-backed companies on the British and global economies and to celebrate the achievements of the management teams that create, nurture and lead them. The national awards ceremony follows the announcement last month of winners in six regions across the UK. All regional winners were then entered into the national final. Please click here for more information.

  2. 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 500 member firms, representing the overwhelming number of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.

  3. High resolution photos are available on request

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