BVCA announces Northern Ireland Management Team Awards shortlist

Companies shortlisted in the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) Management Team Awards 2017 for Northern Ireland have now been announced.
Produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP, the awards recognise and reward brilliant businesses up and down the country that have been backed by private equity and venture capital investors, as part of our annual celebration of UK companies.
The regional awards will be awarded at the Northern Ireland Dinner in Belfast, as part of the BVCA National Dinner Series. They will then go forward into the national final to compete against our other regions, before the winners are announced at the BVCA Gala Dinner on 30 November in London.
The shortlist for the Northern Ireland Management Team Awards 2017:
Vita Liberata
backed by: Broadlake
Vita Liberata is an Irish luxury tanning brand, which created the world’s first completely non-toxic tanning products in 2011.
Judges’ comments: “The judges were impressed with the company’s success in growing a distinctive brand without the massive marketing spend of much larger competitors. The team have repositioned the company in the last three years, executing well on expansion into the US (now representing 52% of sales), the spa programme and continued investment in R&D, whilst retaining strong roots in their community and developing in-house talent. The business has developed its online platform accounting for 15% of revenue.”
RiverRidge Recycling
backed by: Business Growth Fund
RiverRidge is a market leader in waste management, delivering a full scale operation to over 3,500 customers across Northern Ireland.
Judges’ comments: “Brett Ross and his team have led this business through significant investment and growth since acquiring the company in 2011. The judges were struck by the scale of their ambition in building a market leading waste business as well as extending service lines and acquiring competitors, whilst also building a strong team and investing in regulatory compliance. The investment from BGF in 2016 underscores this ambition. RiverRidge were an integral partner in the recently announce £107m WTE plant at Bombardier. The result is the stand-out business in its sector which is now also delivering for its investors and shareholders.”
Lowe Rental
backed by: MML Growth Capital Partners
Founded in Ireland in 1977, Lowe Rental has grown to become the world’s leading refrigeration, catering equipment, cold room and temporary kitchen rental company.
Judges’ comments: “Rodney Lowry and his colleagues have taken a niche business and extended it both in the markets it serves, notably into long-term rental, but particularly internationally, with 70% of revenues coming from outside the UK in the current year. The judges applauded their consistent ambition, which has led them into a partnership with private equity investor MML. They also noted the strength of the US business the team have built, culminating in securing Walmart as a customer.”
Notes to editor
- 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 on 30 November in London. Please click here for more information..
- The Northern Ireland judging panel consists of: Jim Curran, Clarendon Fund Managers; Charlie Kerlin, Grant Thornton; Aidan Langan, Enterprise Equity; Grainne Lennon, InterTradeIreland, William McCulla, Invest Northern Ireland; Peter Garvey, Carlisle; Jimmy Morris, LDC..
- 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 600 member firms, representing the vast majority of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers..
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