BGF (Business Growth Fund) is continuing to grow its investment team in the Midlands with the appointment of Debbie Sorby.
Sorby has 18 years’ portfolio management experience gained most recently at Midven and before that at YFM Group, Connection Capital and 3i, where she spent 11 years.
Based in BGF’s Birmingham office, Sorby joins a team of 10 investors covering the Midlands who, in addition to identifying investment opportunities, provide support to the companies they back.
BGF experienced a record year in the Midlands in 2015 with more than £60m invested in fast-growing businesses. This year, the team has completed investments in Sertec Group, a manufacturer of stampings and welded assemblies; Paintbox Group, an automotive finishings supplier and Solid Solutions, the UK’s largest reseller of SolidWorks 3D design software. These investments bring the total number of companies in the Midlands portfolio to 24.
Gavin Petken, BGF’s regional director for the Midlands, says: “The past 12 months have been our most active since we began investing in 2011. Debbie’s wealth of experience in supporting growing businesses is a great addition to an already strong investment team, and we are delighted to have her on board.”
Sorby says: “BGF has had an exciting and busy year in the Midlands, investing in an interesting range of small and mid-sized businesses. I am thrilled to be joining the team as they continue to help their portfolio companies grow, and also as BGF itself scales up.”
