Winners of Yorkshire and North East business awards

The impact of private equity and venture capital on the economy of Yorkshire and the North East of England is showcased today as the BVCA announces the winners of its annual Management Team Awards.
Produced in association with Grant Thornton, these awards demonstrate private equity and venture capital at work. Each year, hundreds of companies compete across the country for the opportunity to be named as one the UK’s most outstanding teams, illustrating the positive impact our industry is having on the national economy and society at large.
Full details about the winners can be found below, and all will now go forward to the national final to compete with businesses across the UK before the national awards are announced in December.
The winners are:
Large Management Team
VetPartners
VetPartners cares for people, their pets and the veterinary profession
Backed by BC Partners
Our judges said: The VetPartners management team, led by Jo Malone who led the management buyout in 2015, have done a fantastic job of delivering their plan. They have expanded the business by consolidating the market through a successful acquisition strategy, as well as delivering organic growth. In the last two years they have grown the number of practices from 221 to 448, making them a truly national brand, and are already expanding internationally. A very successful business with exciting opportunities for future growth.
Mid-Market Management Team
Express Engineering
A global leader in innovative manufacturing, assembly and testing solutions for the subsea oil and gas industry
Backed by LDC
Our judges said: A very successful refocusing of the business has seen Express Engineering transform from a loss-making business to one that has trebled its order book in just 15 months. Chair Chris Thompson deserves a lot of credit for rebuilding the management team and shifting the strategic focus. They have increased their EBITDA, doubled their workforce and launched new services. They are now building a new assembly and test facility which will place the company on strong footing for further success.
Growth Management Team
Linley & Simpson
Yorkshire’s leading and fastest-growing independent residential sales and letting agent
Backed by LDC
Our judges said: The team led by Will Linley and Nick Simpson have built a strong brand which has overseen impressive growth in tough market conditions brought about through changing regulations, and have expanded into new geographies and embarked on a hugely successful acquisition strategy. The business has also delivered robust organic growth for the sector, as well as building a team which has resulted in both operational efficiencies and strategic focus. The business deserves extra praise for its CSR initiatives, including fundraising for community schemes and appointing a dedicated CSR head.
Venture-backed Management Team
Everflow
Utility group containing a water retailer and tech company – on a mission to make utilities simple
Backed by Perwyn
Our judges said: Founder and CEO Josh Gill used to work at a water wholesaler and saw how outdated the process was. His solution was Everflow, which developed its own software which gives customers complete transparency on the price of water, a stark contrast to the complicated, traditional tariff system. It’s an approach which has clearly worked: they are the fastest organically growing water retailer in the UK, now selling their software to competitors, all the while keeping their admirable focus on employees and customer happiness.
Business Transformation Management Team
Arcinova
Contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), from pre-clinical to phase 2
Backed by BGF
Our judges said: When Ian Shott and Paul Ryan acquired the Alnwick-based facility from Covance in February 2016, it was clearly a considerable challenge they were taking on. It was loss-making and facing closure, yet within just a few years, and with backing from FW Capital and BGF, Arcinova turned the business around. Last year it recorded 30% turnover growth, grown the team from 50 to 160 with plans for more, and now has customers across the world. A true success story.
To view the runners-up and details of the judging process, please click here.
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 areas across the UK 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 in December. .
- 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 800 member firms, representing the 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.grantthornton.co.uk.