Foresight Group (Foresight), an independent private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has added Charles O’Riordan to its private equity team.
Based in Cambridge, O’Riordan will support the deployment of the GBP100 million Foresight East of England Fund.
O’Riordan joins Matt McLoughlin and Bill Yost in Foresight’s Cambridge office, strengthening Foresight’s commitment to the East of England. His focus will be on building relationships and identifying investment opportunities in the region. Charles has worked with UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for his whole career, having originally trained as a chartered accountant at PwC. Most recently O’Riordan was at KPMG in Cambridge, advising business owners throughout the East of England on a range of transactions.
The Foresight East of England Fund is Foresight’s fifth regional private equity fund and invests in SMEs in the East of England. Cornerstoned by the Cambridgeshire Pension Fund, the GBP100 million Fund targets long term value growth and provides a permanent pool of capital to fund businesses in the region and beyond. Foresight has opened an office in Cambridge and made a number of local hires to ensure it works closely with the region and its businesses.
The Fund typically invests up to GBP5 million into established companies with a view to assisting management with their growth ambitions. It invests across a broad range of sectors, across the full range of transaction types including buy-outs and equity release.
Foresight looks to build returns for investors and management teams by supporting companies with their growth plans, providing both capital and expertise. Last year Foresight completed 20 new investments alongside 24 follow-on investments, deploying GBP100 millio into its growing portfolio of over 100 UK SMEs.
Matt Smith, Partner at Foresight, says: “We are delighted to have Charles on board. His extensive knowledge and contacts in the region’s business community will be a valuable asset as we continue to work with more companies and advisers in the region. We look forward to adding to the team over time.”
O’Riordan adds: “I am pleased to be joining Foresight, adding to their presence in the East of England. The region has a rich and diverse population of ambitious and successful businesses and I look forward to working with these companies to help them achieve their growth ambitions.”
