Mid-market private equity investor LDC has strengthened its team in the North West with the appointment of Ged Gould as Director.
Gould was previously Finance Director at American Golf, the specialist golfing equipment retailer sold by LDC to Sun European Partners in January earlier this year.
During LDC’s eight-year investment, he was instrumental in doubling sales at the 89-store chain to over GBP100million through a major store rollout programme and the rapid expansion of its online presence.
Gould originally qualified with KPMG, where he spent 10 years in audit and corporate finance advisory before joining private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital. He has also held FD positions at glassmaker Pilkington PLC and James Briggs, the private equity backed manufacturer of chemicals and paints. He joined American Golf in 2004 as part of the management buyout team.
He joins LDC’s six-strong investment and portfolio team in Manchester, headed by Carl Wormald.
Wormald, Director of LDC in the North West, says: “With a perfect blend of financial, advisory and private equity expertise, Ged is ideally placed to support the growth ambitions of our portfolio companies across the region. His appointment also demonstrates our commitment to the local market and our determination to expand the portfolio through new investment throughout the economic cycle.”
Gould, who will join LDC in May, says: “From my own experience, LDC takes an added value approach to private equity, providing the strategic and operational expertise to help growth companies achieve their goals. This is a perfect opportunity to work alongside the management teams it backs and complement the skills of the investment team.”
Last year, LDC provided new investment in three companies – Cheshire based mobile application software developer Kirona, musicMagpie.co.uk, the fast-growing purchaser and multi-channel retailer of pre-played CDs, DVDs and Games, and international events and marketing agency WRG Creative Communications.
In the North West, its portfolio also includes national nursery care provider kidsunlimited, social housing support services group Forrest, energy management group Matrix and international retail supply group, Ultimate Products.
