BGF (Business Growth Fund) has appointed Alice Avis MBE, formerly Chief Executive and Chair of The Sanctuary Spa, to its board as a Non-Executive Director. Ali Avis ce will bring significant international marketing, e-commerce and executive experience to BGF.
During her time at Sanctuary, Avis oversaw a trebling of the business’s value and its sale to PZ Cussons. Most recently she served as Executive Chairman for Lumene Oy, a Finnish skincare and cosmetics company. She is currently a Non-Executive Director at The Edrington Group, a privately-owned international spirits company, and Cyden Limited, a British beauty and health company, as well as serving as an advisor to the National Trust.
Avis’ experience includes stints as Director of Marketing and e-Commerce at Marks and Spencer, and as Global Brand Director at Johnnie Walker. In 2009 she was awarded an MBE for services to the beauty industry.
Avis will replace Non-Executive Director John Burgess, who stepped down after nearly five years on the Board.
BGF is the UK’s most active provider of growth capital, having invested nearly GBP850 million in more than 125 of the UK’s fastest growing small and mid-sized businesses. It is celebrating its fifth birthday in May 2016.
Sir Nigel Rudd, Chairman of BGF says: “Alice’s experience of driving and guiding businesses will be a great asset to the board at BGF. We build close and lasting relationships with the entrepreneurs and management teams we invest in. Alice’s first-hand knowledge of high-growth companies will help us achieve this, while bringing significant marketing and e-commerce expertise to BGF.”
Alice Avis MBE says: “BGF is operating at the very heart of the UK economy and helping to support some of the most exciting small and mid-sized businesses in the country. In just five years, BGF has become the UK’s most active provider of growth capital. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to help BGF continue to build on this success.”
