Member Article

The Midlands businesses contributing to the fight against Covid-19

Gurinder Sunner, head of BGF in the Midlands

Over recent weeks, we’ve all had to play our own role in addressing the ongoing public health challenge with a focus on protecting our families and teams.

For businesses, the impact of Covid-19 has been swift and brutal: an economic shock that will for some, have wiped out months of trading and years of hard work, almost overnight.

Without doubt, we are at the beginning of a long journey. That said, I am encouraged and assured by the selflessness, innovative thinking and resilience of the entrepreneurs leading small and mid-sized businesses across the Midlands. Businesses within our own portfolio have mobilised to help tackle the national efforts and contribute however they can. Since joining BGF in 2011, I have never been prouder of the entrepreneurs that we partner with.

Speeding up discharge to create NHS capacity

Some of BGF’s portfolio business are contributing in the fight against COVID-19 by extending the services they already offered. An example is Sutton Coldfield-based, CHS Healthcare, which plays a critical role in reducing delays to hospital discharge and creating capacity for more patients. CHS Healthcare is discharging 1,000 patients every week compared to around 1,000 per month before the crisis. Prior to Covid-19, the target timeframe for discharging patients was five days. This is now three hours into immediate care and from there to a permanent placement, in less than 72 hours. CHS is working with more than 160 Clinical Commissioning Groups, to enable a coordinated system-wide approach.

Rapid response to ventilator demand

In response to the UK’s programme for a Rapidly Manufactured Ventilator System, BGF-backed Science Group has developed, prototyped and documented the Sagentia Ventilator.

The innovative design of the Science Group’s ventilator requires fewer sourced components, which are currently not readily available due to high demand around the world. IT also provides an super intuitive user interface, which means it can be deployed quickly and with minimal training. A working prototype of the Sagentia Ventilator has been produced and 20 trial units are currently in the process of being made with potential for 10,000 units to be manufactured upon receiving Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approval. This innovation and decisive action means the business will play a vital and life-saving role in the UK’s and individuals’ battle against COVID-19.

Support for key workers and the NHS

It’s important that we share the many more examples of entrepreneurs supporting the public health efforts and the ways management teams are innovating and re-imagining their own businesses and industries to get beyond this.

Chase Distillery was quick to react and begin production of hand sanitiser when a shortage was widely reported. Called HR1, the sanitiser meets WHO standards, which require a minimum ABV of 60%. More than 30,000 units have been sent out to key workers across the Midlands to help maintain hygiene.

Stoke-based business Emma Bridgewater has given away 200 of its iconic Florence Nightingale design mugs to NHS workers to show an appreciation of their efforts.

Our role

The challenges we all face in the Midlands are significant, but the examples I’ve seen from our homegrown businesses - within our own portfolio and the wider SME community - reassure me that we are well-placed to tackle what’s ahead.

We all have a role to play. BGF has been a purpose-led organisation from the outset. Our goal will continue to be to create a significant investment capability for a wide range of SMEs across all sectors throughout the UK and Ireland. Testing times are not entirely new to BGF - we were created in response to the global financial crash of 2008. By leveraging our experience from the past nine years, together with our financial strength and unique approach, we’re confident we can rise to all new challenges.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Red Flag Alert .