Private Equity investors usually acquire established companies in order to help accelerate their growth, for example by expanding into international markets or by acquiring competitors in order to consolidate their position. Transactions can include management buy-outs, management buy-ins and refinancings that allow owner-managers to stay in place while realising a portion of their equity value. PE funds usually aim to hold their shares for anything between three years and seven years.
Private Equity

Short Description: AAC Capital UK is a well established and experienced mid-market buyout firm. We were formerly known as the UK team of ABN AMRO Capital and during 2011 we formed AAC Capital UK and became an autonomous business focused on UK investments. Since 2000 we have managed over £800 million of investments in 26 companies. We invest in profitable, cash-generative companies whose principal operations are in the UK. Our distinctive investment strategy is focused on realising the value creation potential of market leading niche companies in the Industrial, Business Services and Consumer sectors.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Investment Strategy Alchemy was established to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns in private equity and distressed investing. This remains our focus. Investing in distressed debt, special situations and private equity plays to Alchemy’s strengths and experience. Alchemy targets opportunities across Europe which arise from turbulent markets, structural change, unsustainable capital structures and management or cyclical underperformance. The team employs a value investing approach based on fundamental proprietary research and comprehensive due diligence. A particular emphasis is placed on capital preservation and receiving an appropriate return for the risk taken. Post-investment monitoring drives the value generation process and we are actively engaged in managing our investments. Alchemy invests in most business sectors and the team has built deep expertise in financial services.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Apposite Capital is an independent investment firm focused exclusively on Healthcare. The firm operates at the small end of the private equity market, providing both capital and expertise to those businesses offering ‘disruptive’ models that aim to improve or reduce the cost of care provision and which have the potential of becoming market leaders. Typically, Apposite will seek to deploy £10-20 million over the life of an investment and has a preference for being a majority shareholder. Apposite has an in-depth sector knowledge covering key aspects of the healthcare industry internationally coupled with local insights, an exceptional network and an entrepreneurial mindset which it applies to drive the growth of its portfolio companies. Apposite was created in 2006 and is headquartered in , UK.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Arcapita originates alternative investments, which comply with Shari’ah principles, for its investors and shareholders. At the center of one of the fastest growing wealth markets in the world, Arcapita's management has been serving an exclusive group of investors in the GCC region and Southeast Asia for 17 years. With offices in Bahrain, Atlanta, and Singapore, Arcapita’s management team has completed over 70 transactions with a total value of approximately $30 billion and possesses a footprint to invest on a global scale. The business is defined by the quality of its people - a management team with extensive experience gained in all market conditions and a group of professionals with deep expertise in their areas of focus.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Asset Match is the online marketplace to buy and sell shares in UK private companies. Through regular online auctions we provide owners of shares in private businesses a way to exit and give sophisticated investors access to investment opportunities in the untapped private company market.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We founded August Equity in 2001 because we wanted to work closely with the businesses we invest in. The people in our investments talk to us regularly, and that’s the way we like it. We invest in small and medium-sized businesses whose headquarters are in the UK. We often start smaller than other private equity firms, and build our businesses through acquisition and organic growth. We like to start a relationship with a conversation. We’re active in the sectors we invest in so we talk as equals with the people and businesses we think have potential, finding out more, exploring opportunities, proposing solutions. Our deals are open and straightforward. If we say to a vendor that we’ll do something, we do it. We don’t change the terms of a deal part way through. And once the deal is done, we work directly with our businesses to help them grow. We recognise early warning signs of issues and fix them quickly; but if a portfolio company experiences more serious performance problems, we commit considerable resources to help resolve them. We really are a different kind of private equity firm.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We are a private equity firm that specialises in direct-secondary transactions – acquiring shareholdings in growth stage private and small-cap public technology companies from historical investors and shareholders. About us We offer existing shareholders an option for full or partial liquidity whilst giving the company the time and, if required, the additional capital required to maximise the ultimate value and potential for a successful exit. Established in 2004, Azini Capital is one of Europe’s leading private equity firms specialising in direct secondary transactions. We provide a solution to historical investors who, for structural or strategic reasons, are looking for full or partial liquidity. We offer management and other remaining investors the means to maximise the value of their company.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We partner with our management teams to provide the strategic and analytic resources needed to build and grow great companies.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Baird Capital’s U.K. Private Equity team invests in small- and medium-sized U.K. companies across the Healthcare, Technology & Services, and Products sectors. Our team invests in profitable companies where we have the capabilities to deliver added value for shareholders. We drive value in our portfolio companies by providing deep sector knowledge, extensive investment experience and access to global operating resources. In addition, our global operating resources, particularly those in Asia and the U.S., allow us to provide our portfolio companies with access to additional revenue growth and cost reduction opportunities.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: BiG provides equity finance and business support expertise to established owner-managers, or potential managers, who can demonstrate growth potential, coupled with good management skills or an established track record. Big's operating area is primarily in the North East of England from Northumberland South through Tyne & Wear and County Durham to Teesside and North Yorkshire. No small and medium sized enterprize (SME) business sector is excluded from the opportunity in attracting investment funds from the Business Investment Group.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We offer competitive products and services that can be tailored to our customers’ needs, providing them with solutions that help their businesses and wealth grow.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Bowmark Capital is the leading private equity firm specialising in smaller UK companies. We are active and supportive investors, backing experienced management teams in the purchase or expansion of their businesses. The Bowmark team has extensive experience of investing in growth companies, having supported over 50 different businesses across a range of industries. Their philosophy is to be creative and responsive partners, tailoring our involvement to the needs of each business. Bowmark manage and advise funds totalling £700 million on behalf of a blue chip investor base including public pension funds, insurance companies and banks from the UK, US and Continental Europe. Bowmark Capital is an independent company owned by its management, and was originally established in 1997
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Bridgeport are a major international private equity group focused on acquiring market-leading businesses where significant value can be created under Bridgepoint ownership. With a clear, long-term focus on sectors where we can invest in robust middle market companies, we typically acquire businesses valued between €200 million and €1 billion. Bridgeport seek to invest in businesses that combine exisiting strengths (in terms of market share, diversification, brand strength, quality of products or services and first-rate management) with the capacity for further enhancement through expansion across borders, operational improvement, refocusing of strategies, and add-on acquisitions. They seek to acquire companies with strong market positions and earnings growth potential where significant additional value can be created through expansion and operational improvement. Typically it achieves this by using its industrial, commercial and financial expertise to work alongside management to create the value sought by investors, managers and Bridgepoint alike.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: C&C Alpha Group (CCAG) is an international private equity firm with its headquarters in as well as offices in India. CCAG was established to serve as a holding company for a group of private investors who have been in the business of venture capital funding for over 30 years. Our experienced team includes entrepreneurs, strategy consultants, project managers, project developers and financial analysts. C&C Alpha Group Ltd helps high-quality, entrepreneurial teams to develop new ventures or positively expand existing businesses. The C&C Alpha Group Ltd investment approach is characterised by an awareness of global business and economic trends, enabling the company to leverage multinational experience and contacts.Typically, C&C Alpha Group Ltd act as an incubator to ensure that investee companies get all the help they need to grow at the right pace from the outset. Many of the mature companies that C&C Alpha Group Ltd invests in also face challenges. Some require injections of capital or management expertise, others need help to restructure operations to improve efficiency or take on greater scale in order to compete in global markets.C&C Alpha Group Ltd views their involvement as a partnership, deploying investment expertise and worldwide presence to achieve growth and profit, and to help companies overcome challenging times.By nature, C&C Alpha Group Ltd knows that a passive approach is almost never the answer. The group has entrepreneurial flair and a passion for every business they invest in while looking for innovative financial solutions. Backing only the best and genuinely original products and services, is key to the continued success of C&C Alpha Group Ltd.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We know that, through no fault of their own, businesses in the current economic climate are finding it difficult to secure the finance they need – and in some cases have exhausted their traditional borrowing capacity. The Government is committed to help and has launched a package of support to address the cash flow, credit and capital needs of business. The Capital for Enterprise Fund will provide £75 million of equity, made up of £50m of Government funds and an additional £25 million from Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds TSB and RBS. The purpose of the fund is to provide equity and quasi equity of £250,000 to £2 million for companies with a turnover of up to euro 50 million who have viable business models and growth potential in need of long term capital.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Carlyle uses its One Carlyle global network, deep industry knowledge, Executive Operations Group and portfolio intelligence to create and execute a customized value creation plan for each of our corporate private equity and real asset investments.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Founded in 1984, CBPE Capital is a well-established, leading participant in the UK mid-market. We have invested in over 70 UK-headquartered companies across a variety of sectors. Our entire team is based together in our office in , which allows us to operate efficiently and effectively. Strategies for creating value may include: SEPARATION FROM A LARGER PARENT This can allow a previously non-core division the room to grow into an independent and viable entity. CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES Optimising manufacturing facilities, for example, may be a short term cost which yields attractive long terms results. FACILITATING INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Setting up in new markets is a common and often successful way to grow a business and to reduce reliance on a single domestic market. We have significant experience in helping UK-based companies to grow in this way. ACCELERATING GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITIONS A significant number of our portfolio companies have made complementary acquisitions after our initial investment. These may be small, opening up a new market or complimentary client base, or large and transformative.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Charterhouse is an independent private equity house with a distinctive approach. As one of the longest established private equity firms operating in Europe, we have invested in buyouts since the early days of the market in the 1980s. We are owned by our team and focus solely on private equity investing. With 140 completed transactions worth an aggregate in excess of €50 billion in value, we believe our track record and experience combine to make Charterhouse one of the most successful private equity firms in Europe.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: The Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership has committed £5 million of capital to create a new funding escalator comprising a loan scheme and an equity fund managed by The FSE Group. If you are an ambitious SME based in the Coast to Capital region with the potential to deliver high growth and employment opportunities, you may be eligible to apply.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: CVC Capital Partners (‘CVC’) is one of the world’s leading private equity and investment advisory firms.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We invest in ambitious entrepreneurs and help them build industry leading businesses in the mobile technology, internet software and cleantech sectors.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We are a leading UK mid-market private equity provider. People are at the heart of our business and relationships are core to what we do. We will always give you an honest opinion and once we have committed we will deliver on our promises. We are able to identify potential and therefore don’t expect the businesses in which we invest in to be perfectly formed from the outset. We listen to where management want to go and combine our mutual expertise to create value and deliver exceptional returns. Relationships are core to our business. We are collegiate and transparent in our approach, working closely together as a team with management, advisors and investors. We have completed our own buyout and know that growing a company often means making difficult decisions. We are here to make it easier. Every business we invest in, we believe in. We invest where we can see the potential to create and deliver value growth. We are confident in the decisions we make and have a successful track record to prove it. Working with management, our joint successes have been recognised in the industry awards we have won.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: EC1 Capital is a leading based web and mobile investment fund.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We focus on backing ambitious management teams in growth companies valued between £20 million and £150 million, helping them maximise their potential.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: EPIC Private Equity LLP is an independent manager, advisory boutique and placement agent established in 2001
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Exponent is a private equity firm investing in UK headquartered businesses with enterprise values between £75m and £350m. We work with businesses across a broad range of sectors; where we can unlock value and drive growth. We do this by finding the right companies, identifying their potential and working with great people to develop them. Exponent's strong team ethos and approachable style are underpinned by over 190 years of collective experience. This allows us to take bold decisions and deliver high returns. Because of our extensive experience and because we understand what it means to be owners, we are shrewd providers of capital. Our aims are to make excellent returns for our investors and deliver profitable relationships for our managers in a committed and personable way. We are currently investing from our third fund of £1 billion raised in 2015.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: FGI Equity invests in middle-market growth companies both domestically and internationally. We make minority and majority investments in companies with compelling products and business models through direct investments, operating partners and opportunistic funds.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Fieldstone is an investment banking firm with a focus on energy and infrastructure financial advisory. Founded in 1990 by senior investment bankers from Bankers Trust Company, Fieldstone advises corporations on private capital raises, leveraged buyouts and mergers and acquisitions in energy and infrastructure industries globally. As an independent, employee owned company, we take great pride in being a financial advisor that provides objective, unbiased, and independent ideas specifically developed for a client’s long-term needs. Within the Energy and Infrastructure sector Fieldstone provides financial advisory services across the entire range of transaction classes from public offers for listed utilities to the arrangement of independent power project debt and equity financings, privatizations of government owned assets to public and private debt restructurings.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Finance Yorkshire can provide investment to selected businesses, management teams and entrepreneurs, from as little as £100k up to a maximum of £2m per company. We can tailor financial packages to suit individual needs. We can invest in much larger transactions alongside other finance providers, where eligible. For any Equity investment, the size of the equity stake will depend on a number of factors including the size of the investment, the perceived level of risk and the valuation of the company. As shareholders, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the company succeeds, as we share in the company's success. Our aim is to achieve a suitable mixed return from loan income (i.e. interest, etc.) and from any capital gain on equity at exit. As part of an equity-linked investment, we may appoint a non-executive director to work with the company. See also our frequently asked questions We can help your business if you are: An SME* paying business rates in the Yorkshire and Humber region or those wishing to re-locate. Growth businesses which are profitable or approaching profitability And you have a gap in funding where conventional sources of finance are insufficient or unavailable.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Gresham is the leading independent provider of private equity capital to UK businesses with a value up to £50m. We have a unique, long-standing heritage in this market, generated through consistently successful investment in deep partnerships with our management teams.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Hamilton Bradshaw provides investment into established businesses with a strong track record, ambitious growth plans and EBIT levels from £0.5 million.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We are an established team of professionals at Harwood Capital Management Limited managing the Trident Private Equity funds. We pursue a low-leverage strategy of investing in buyouts of undervalued and neglected UK small and medium sized companies across a range of sectors. We are a leader in public-to-private transactions in this market.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Hayfin was founded in 2009 as an independent investment firm providing lending solutions to European medium-sized companies as well as operating complementary business lines across corporate, maritime and alternative credit.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Inflexion is a leading independent mid-market private equity house, investing in established high growth businesses.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: KKR’s Private Equity platform invests in and partners with industry-leading franchises and companies poised for significant improvement or growth that attract high-quality management teams.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Lloyds Development Capital is a UK leading regional mid-market private equity house.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Founded in 2000, the UK team has established itself as a leading investor in the UK lower mid-market.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We are entrepreneurs, researchers, ex-suits, and above all, passionate doers. We happily roll up our sleeves when needed and work through challenges with our portfolio companies. Having been through the whole lifecycle of a company, from both sides of the table (more than once), we are likely to understand the types of challenges that you may face, and are committed to helping you through the roller coaster. An enthusiastic team of seasoned professionals with holistic experience in operations and finance, means that there is always someone who can ask the right questions. And if we feel like more expertise is required, our community of experienced entrepreneurs, opinion leaders, executives, and innovators (aka our extended family) are only a phone call away. In essence, the only meaningful reference an investor has, is his/her portfolio companies’ experience of working together over time. Therefore, we encourage you to talk to the entrepreneurs with whom we have partnered so far, and get their views on what it’s like to work with us.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: NVM is independently owned private equity firm with over 30 years’ experience of investing in unquoted UK businesses. We seek investment opportunities of between £2m and £10m in SMEs that have the right mix of flair, growth potential and market vision.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Headquartered in , Oakley Capital Private Equity is a mid-market private equity investor with over €750m under management, investing in the UK and Western Europe.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: OMERS Private Equity has been making private equity investments since 1987
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Growing an ambitious business into an acclaimed industry leader is challenging. That’s why companies need the support of an experienced partner.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Praesidian Capital Europe is an opportunistic investor within the lower middle market.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We want to stimulate Scotland’s economic ambition – creating an innovative, high-wage and highly productive economy with a competitive, international market presence and a focus on high value opportunities. SCF is a market driven, highly innovative "product" aimed at substantially increasing the number of and capacity for investment of private sector investors active in the Scottish early stage market. The Scottish Co-investment Fund (SCF) has been set up by Scottish Enterprise to increase the risk capital available for investment opportunities in small but ambitious Scottish companies. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the SCF is a £45 million equity fund which can invest between £50,000 and £500,000 in company finance deals of up to £2 million.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Silverfleet Capital is a leading, independent, European private equity firm specialising in mid-market buyouts. We have been backing exceptional management teams in businesses that excite us since 1984. We utilise this expertise as well as an investment team based across offices in , Munich and Paris, to help our portfolio companies make bolt-on acquisitions and to achieve strong organic growth: in other words, we “buy to build”. We have supported the European mid-market since 1984, and we have been active investors in each of our three principal markets – UK, France and Germany – as well as in the Nordic and Benelux regions. We typically invest in high quality international businesses with an enterprise value of between €75 million and €300 million, which we look to back through their next phase of growth, which will typically include a buy & build, roll-out or expansion strategy. Our investment case studies illustrate both our geographic and sector credentials, as well as our long-standing commitment to European mid-market investments.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: We look for organisations providing sustainable solutions to social challenges and our investments aim to deliver positive social impact alongside a risk adjusted commercial rate of return. We seek to achieve and measure our social impact goals using an impact process which is integrated within our wider investment process. We are focused on ‘double bottom line’ returns which means our investments seek to generate financial success as well as social value. We are dedicated to mobilising investment capital to drive social impact. Our vision is of a market in which access to appropriate capital is no longer a constraint to organisations looking to achieve social impact. Our long term goal is to structure and manage investments that will unlock further capital.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: The South East Seed Fund is a £7 million early stage equity fund, with an active portfolio of 13 companies and growing, mainly focused on digital media, advanced manufacturing, clean technology and spin-out companies from South East universities. The fund has invested £ 4.5 million to date, with these portfolio companies attracting more than £90 million additional private sector funding either alongside or subsequent to FSE involvement. Operating as an active investor in its portfolio companies, the Seed Fund invests by way of an equity instrument into companies with strong Intellectual Property or market differentiation that can demonstrate high growth potential. Our fund managers look to lead funding rounds and are experienced in working with angel networks and individuals as well as institutional investors.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: The Strathclyde Investment Fund (SIF) is provided by the University of Strathclyde with additional investment from Braveheart Ventures and alumni investors. The fund will operate for an initial period of eight years with an anticipated £12 million available for investments. Support is available for: Equity investments into spin-out companies at the seed funding stage. Subsequent funding for companies in which the SIF has previously invested. 'Pump-priming' early stage loan funding direct to the University in return for a right to a share in future commercialisation income resulting from the funding or a right to equity in a future spin-out set up to commercialise the relevant IP. The fund will invest in commercial opportunities arising in respect of intellectual property originating from the University of Strathclyde.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Terra Firma is one of Europe's leading private equity firms.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Our investments span a wide range of industries and continents in businesses large and small.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: TPG is a leading global private investment firm with $74.3 billion of capital under management.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: Vespa Capital is a private investment firm with discretionary capital. We partner ambitious management teams and privately owned businesses to help them acquire and develop the businesses they know and run. We have a track record of providing our investments with a personal and bespoke service, with consistent access to experienced investment individuals. We invest in businesses with an enterprise value between €15 and €50 million, headquartered in the UK and France. The partners of Vespa Capital are together the single largest investor in our fund.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: At Warburg Pincus, private equity investing is our only business.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity

Short Description: WHEB Partners is a and Munich based pan-European technology growth investor.
Type: Equity
Equity Category: Private Equity