What we’re about
As a certified B Corp, and the most active equity investor in Ireland and the UK, we are dedicated to supporting good growth in entrepreneurial businesses.
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Impact in numbers
BGF was first set up in 2011, to address the UK’s SME funding gap, before launching BGF Ireland six years later. Taken together, our portfolio covers every region of Ireland and the UK.
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£4bn+
Invested in UK&I
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600+
Businesses backed
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200+
Exits completed
Working together to create value
We provide businesses with an initial investment of €2m-€20m, in exchange for a minority shareholding. We also have the ability to deploy follow-on funding for further growth opportunities. Alongside this, we offer additional scaleup support to our portfolio, in the form of:
- Exclusive events and workshops that give you the tools to successfully scale your business
- Introductions to experienced board members, plus our global network of business leaders and sector specialists
- Opportunities to connect with and learn from hundreds of other BGF-backed businesses, in Ireland and the UK
In doing so, we aim to add value beyond our investments, without taking control.
Meet the team
Based out of Dublin and Cork, our Irish team has a proven track record of working alongside founders to grow their businesses, bringing extensive industry knowledge and multi-sector expertise.
Head of BGF Ireland
As Head of BGF in the Republic of Ireland, Leo leads our Dublin and Cork teams, and is responsible for identifying, investing in, and supporting SMEs across the country. Leo joined BGF from IBI Corporate Finance, where was a director and board member. He has extensive knowledge and experience of helping businesses unlock value in the Irish mid-market.
Investor
With over a decade of private equity experience, Adam’s responsible for all aspects of the investment process at BGF, including deal sourcing, execution, and portfolio management. Throughout his career, he’s been involved in over 30 deals, previously holding roles at Waterland Private Equity, Melior Equity Partners, The Carlyle Group, and Lonsdale Capital Partners.
Investor
Based in our Dublin office, Aoife drives deal origination opportunities for BGF across the whole of the Irish market. Prior to joining, Aoife worked with KPMG’s deal advisory team, where she focused on managing and executing restructuring scenarios across a wide range of industries for small and medium-sized Irish businesses.
Investor
Donagh joined our Dublin investment team through the BGF Graduate Programme, having received a first class honours in BSc. Finance from University College Cork (UCC). He supports the team across all areas of the investment process. Prior to BGF, Donagh held roles in equity and macro research for UCC’s student managed fund.
Investor
Based across our Dublin and Cork offices, Joe focuses on identifying and executing new deals. Prior to BGF, he spent several years in leveraged finance, corporate banking and restructuring at AIB, before working at MML Capital Partners and, more recently, as an investment director at BMS Finance, providing direct lending to Irish SMEs.
Investor
Having joined the team in 2021, Lauren has a strong track record of identifying and executing investments in ambitious Irish businesses. Prior to BGF, she spent over a decade working in corporate finance at KPMG. During this time, Lauren focused on (equity and debt) fundraising and M&A across Ireland, the UK and the US.
Investor
At BGF, MJ sources and executes new Irish investments, supporting management teams on their growth journeys through to exit. Before this, he worked at KPMG in Dublin and, more recently, at finnCap Cavendish in London, where he was a senior associate in private M&A advisory (focused on the technology sector, alongside healthcare and financial services).
Chief Executive Officer
Andy is CEO of BGF in the UK and Ireland. He is also a member of our Board and Chair of the BGF Foundation. Andy has 30+ years of experience across private equity, acquisition finance and corporate finance. Before BGF, he worked in the Manchester offices of Livingbridge, Royal Bank Development Capital and Bridgepoint, and as the finance director of a PE-backed software company.
Head of Growth
Richard leads BGF’s Growth investment team across all regions of the UK and Ireland, and is a member of our Investment Committee. Prior to joining BGF, Richard held roles at YFM Equity Partners, Octopus Private Equity and Sovereign Capital, investing in a number of owner managed businesses during this time.
Dublin
60 Fitzwilliam Square North,
Dublin 2, D02 FK58
Cork
Glandore, City Quarter,
Lapp’s Quay, Cork, T12 Y3ET
Growth capital that works for you
Interested in joining our portfolio? If you’re looking for a minority investment partner that takes the time to understand your business, we could be a great fit. See if you meet our criteria and introduce yourself below.
Get in touch