BGF, one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland, has completed a significant multi‐million-pound investment in award winning, OCL Vision, a premium ophthalmology group.
Founded in 2018 by leading eye surgeons Ali Mearza, Allon Barsam, and Romesh Angunawela and later joined by Chien Wong, OCL Vision delivers almost 4,000 elective and clinical private procedures every year. The new funding will support the company’s new site rollouts and enable further organic growth through enhanced marketing and sales capabilities.
The business has evolved from a single site on New Cavendish Street in London into a high-growth healthcare group with three fast-growing sites and ambitious plans to expand across the United Kingdom
OCL Vision, which has recorded double-digit growth in patient numbers and revenue in 2024, currently has 12 surgeons and employs a wider team of 60. The group offers the full spectrum of specialist ophthalmic procedures across two core segments: elective procedures, including laser vision correction and refractive lens replacement, as well as essential clinical procedures, including cataract, retinal, glaucoma, and oculoplastic surgeries.
The business recently won Best Healthcare Outcomes at the Laing Buisson Awards in 2024. OCL Vision’s exceptional quality of care outcomes and its reputation for outstanding clinical practice, were also recently recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), underpinning its strategic position in a UK private ophthalmology market.
OCL recently strengthened its executive team, appointing Nicholas Rudge as CEO and Darren Millington as CFO, with Suzanne Lawrence joining as non-executive Chair through BGF’s Talent Network. With extensive executive leadership experience across the private and public healthcare sectors, Suzanne previously served as CEO of Orbis Education & Care and currently holds the position of Chair at TFP Fertility Group.
The transaction was led by Alistair Brew, Karolina Sokolowska and Dylan Kaye of BGF’s London investment team.
