BGF (Business Growth Fund) has appointed Fiona Gibson to support its growing portfolio in the South West of England.
Gibson joins BGF from Lloyds Banking Group where she was head of equity investments, responsible for the bank’s portfolio of more than 250 legacy equity assets. Whilst at Lloyds, Gibson delivered a number of significant exits including the sale of Keepmoat and CALA Homes.
With 15 years’ private equity experience, predominately managing minority equity investments across a range of sectors, Gibson worked at 3i and HBoS Integrated Finance before moving into the equity investments team at Lloyds Banking Group following the merger of HBoS and Lloyds. Gibson began her career at Ernst & Young and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
Based across BGF’s Bristol and Reading offices, Gibson joins a team of nine investors covering the South West of England who, in addition to identifying investment opportunities, provide support to the companies they back.
The appointment follows a record year of investing for BGF. The firm provided GBP376 million in funding to UK smaller and mid-sized companies in 2016, up from GBP248 million the previous year. A total of 59 deals were transacted in 2016, compared to 31 in 2015.
Four successful exits were completed throughout the past 12 months, including most recently, Molecular Products Group. BGF’s long-term funding structure means that the returns made from these deals will to be reinvested in other growing companies over the next few years.
Paul Oldham, regional director, South, BGF, says: “BGF has completed 59 deals, including new investments, follow-on funding transactions and exits, in the past 12 months. This places us in the top ten most active investors in the world.
“To support the growing portfolio, we’re expanding the team with bright, motivated professionals, who understand and value BGF’s long-term model of investing and are eager to provide support to growing companies. With a wealth of investment and portfolio experience, Fiona is a fantastic addition to the team and we’re delighted to have her on board.”
Gibson says: “As a minority investor in the businesses it backs, BGF’s model is to provide funding, support and access to a substantial network, without taking control. Its growing portfolio of exciting businesses speaks to the attractiveness of this route for entrepreneurs. I’m looking forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to BGF, and playing an active role in the team.”
