National winners of BVCA Management Team Awards 2018
The BVCA is proud to announce the national winners of the BVCA Management Team Awards 2018, produced in association with Grant Thornton LLP, our annual showcase for the best UK businesses backed by private equity and venture capital.
From a shortlist of over 30 companies – all of them winners of our regional awards held throughout the year – our judges selected seven outstanding enterprises which have demonstrated exceptional performance and illustrated the important role private equity and venture capital plays in the real economy, nurturing innovation and supporting growth.
The winners were announced to a 500+ strong audience at the BVCA Annual Gala Dinner, held last night at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
The full list of winners for the BVCA Management Team Awards 2018:
Winner |
Backed by |
Category |
| Vizolution | Development Bank of Wales, HSBC and Notion Capital | Small Venture-backed Management Team |
| Darktrace | KKR, Summit Partners and others | Large Venture-backed Management Team |
| Meritsoft | Synova Capital and FiveW Capital | Growth Management Team |
| Mettis Aerospace (joint winner) | Stirling Square Capital Partners | Mid-market Management Team |
| Efficio (joint winner) | Livingbridge | Mid-market Management Team |
| Former management team of Westleigh Partnerships | Palatine Private Equity | Large Company Management Team |
| Ink | Endless | Business Transformation Management Team |
What the judges say
Small Venture-backed Management Team
Vizolution
Backed by Development Bank of Wales, HSBC and Notion Capital
Swansea-headquartered provider of tech platform to enhance customer journeys
The judges liked the clever use of technology and ‘old economy’ methodology to create a truly scalable business, which has the potential to grow well beyond its already substantial size. The company has now used private equity backing twice and is a great example of what can be achieved under private equity ownership.
Large Venture-backed Management Team
Darktrace
Backed by KKR, Summit Partners and others
World leader in AI for cyber security, founded in Cambridge
A standout and shining example of a successful venture-backed company that has gone from strength to strength, making positive headlines with a very impressive team. The company has utilised great tech and marketing to challenge many well-established incumbents. A great advertisement for UK and European venture capital.
Growth Management Team
Meritsoft
Backed by Synova Capital and FiveW Capital
Financial software platform used by investment banks to process tax, regulatory reporting and claims
The management team has developed an outstanding business in a demanding sector with strong numbers - both high margin and EBITDA - with a small, but dedicated team. The judges expect a very strong exit.
Mid-market Management Team (joint winner)
Mettis Aerospace
Backed by Stirling Square Capital Partners
Redditch-based designer and manufacturer of precision forged and machined components
The management team has executed good growth with a clear acquisition plan in a challenging environment, whilst developing a strong company culture.
Mid-market Management Team (joint winner)
Efficio
Backed by Livingbridge
Procurement consultancy operating across ten offices in Europe, North America and the Middle East, and headquartered in London
The judges were very impressed with Efficio’s strong and sustainable growth, acknowledging this is down to the company’s management team which has scaled a people business and differentiated itself in a competitive market.
Large Company Management Team
Former management team of Westleigh Partnerships
Backed by Palatine Private Equity
Leicester-headquartered provider of affordable residential property and one of the largest housebuilders in the Midlands.
The company’s strong management team has achieved fantastic results in a challenging sector and is an excellent example of impact investing – social purpose and impact without compromising on profits. The company itself has a great culture, with people promoted within the business.
Business Transformation Management Team
Ink
Backed by Endless
Producer of travel media and technology, creating award-winning inflight and travel magazines, videos and other digital content
Through the management team’s successful buyout, the company has changed in 24 months from a high growth, low profit business to a highly profitable one, increasing market share with clear direction and has significantly exceeded expectations.
For further information, please contact
Tom Allchorne, Director, Communications, BVCA
+44 (0)20 7492 0407
[email protected] or [email protected]
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 were presented at the BVCA Annual Gala Dinner on 29 November in London.
- The National judging panel consists of: Bill Priestley (Chair), Epiris; Mark Advani, Livingbridge; Tim Farazmand, Palatine Private Equity; Jeremy Hand, Lyceum Capital; Hugh Lenon, Phoenix Equity Partners; Mo Merali, Grant Thornton; Charlie Johnstone; Rhian Elston, Development Bank of Wales; Andrew Craig, Maven Capital Partners; Andrew Ferguson, Maven Capital Partners; Andrew Priest, Inflexion; Phil Goodwin, BVCA.
- 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 700 member firms, representing the vast majority of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.
- 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.grant-thornton.co.uk.
