BGF has appointed Sophie Birch to its Talent Network team, which helps BGF-backed companies gain unparalleled access to a group of more than 5,000 board-level non-executives, business leaders and sector experts.
Birch’s experience of helping growing companies strengthen their boards, together with her extensive contact book of senior business leaders adds further weight to BGF’s network.
Birch has over 10 years’ experience at Lyceum Capital Partners where she had sole responsibility for developing its talent management function. Prior to this, Sophie was a key member of Lyceum’s investor relations team.
Last year, BGF expanded its Talent Network team, led by Cate Poulson, with the appointment of Andy Watts. Andy is responsible for helping portfolio companies find interim management hires across a range of disciplines and for sourcing finance professionals to support BGF’s investment teams during the due diligence process.
BGF’s Talent Network is now one of the largest groups of successful and experienced chairs, non-executive directors, angel investors and finance directors in the UK and Ireland. They work alongside BGF to invest in and develop some of the country’s fastest growing and most ambitious businesses.
BGF has now invested more than GBP1.5 billion across 221 companies and earlier this year became the first and only investor to have been honoured for Innovation in the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
Cate Poulson, Head of BGF’s Talent Network, says: “BGF’s Talent Network continues to grow as a valuable resource for our ambitious portfolio companies, many of whom are benefiting not only in terms of recruitment but also in tapping into specialist advice and further networking.
“Sophie’s depth of experience with C-suite recruitment makes her a fantastic asset to the team at this exciting period in our growth.”
Birch adds: “The size and calibre of BGF’s network is testament to both the quality of its investment portfolio and of its mission to champion growing British businesses. I am delighted to be joining the Talent Network team and to work alongside investee companies to support their board appointment needs and achieve their growth ambitions.”
BGF is the UK’s most active investor in growing companies in the UK and Ireland, with GBP2.5 billion to support a range of growing companies – early stage, growth stage and quoted – across every region and sector of the economy.
