Fifteen years after it was established to address a structural funding gap in the UK mid-market, BGF has surpassed £5bn in investments, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support the regional growth economy across the UK and Ireland.

Founded in 2011, BGF provides long-term, flexible capital to small and mid-sized businesses. Investing through minority stakes, the firm partners with entrepreneurs and management teams while enabling them to retain ownership and control. BGF supports businesses at all stages of growth - from earlier-stage companies to established and family-owned firms - helping them scale in a way that suits them.

Today, BGF is the UK and Ireland’s most active growth investor and has backed more than 650 companies across a network of 15 offices. 74% of capital has been deployed outside of London and the South East, reflecting BGF’s longstanding regional focus.

Over time, BGF’s model has translated into both economic impact and significant returns, demonstrating the strength and scalability of its minority growth investment thesis:

Returns: the firm has generated £3.7bn in proceeds across more than 280 exits, across growth and early stage businesses;
Revenue: BGF-backed companies have delivered more than £8.2bn in revenue growth;
Job creation: BGF’s portfolio companies have created over 35,000 jobs;
Performance: since 2016, the firm’s exits have delivered a 22.6% gross IRR and a 2x money multiple.

In the North West, BGF has backed businesses such as St Pierre Groupe, RSK, Mission Mars and Kids Planet.

Recent investments in the region include a £15 million investment in Seda Pharma Development Services Ltd (Seda), an integrated contract research, development and manufacturing organisation headquartered in Cheadle, Greater Manchester. BGF also backed Citrus-Lime, a fast-growing retail software and digital marketing services provider based in Cumbria, to support international expansion.

In 2026, BGF was recognised as the most active investor in the UK’s 245 fastest-growing private equity-backed companies, according to the Real Deals Private Equity Value Report, in association with BDO, the international accountancy and business advisory firm. BGF currently has a portfolio of 360 investee businesses and AuM of £3bn.

Pinesh Mehta, investment partner at BGF in the North West: “In 2011, BGF was created to address a gap in the funding market. The fact we’ve now invested £5bn in more than 650 businesses across every region in the UK reflects the size of that opportunity and BGF’s ability to deliver against that goal.

“Our model is different by design. We provide long-term capital through minority investments. We’ve found this resonates with entrepreneurs and management teams in the North West as we can partner with them to scale their business, while they retain control.”

Harry Jones, investment partner at BGF in the North West, adds: “Our approach is delivering real economic impact and generating sustained outcomes throughout the portfolio. We continue to see a strong pipeline of opportunities across sectors in the region for new investments, follow-on and exits. Our focus remains backing ambitious North West businesses who are looking to achieve their growth ambitions.”

Jill Williams, portfolio partner at BGF, said: “This is a significant milestone for BGF. Over 15 years, we have created a broad and diversified portfolio and a track record of successful exits with strong returns. BGF is expert in working with portfolio businesses to create value beyond investment by accessing BGF expertise, the experience of our Talent Network and being part of our growing portfolio.”

BGF has committed to invest a further £400m in the North West over the next five years, underlining its confidence in the depth of opportunity across the UK and Ireland and its continued focus on supporting ambitious businesses to scale.