Member Article

BGF strengthens portfolio team with senior hire

BGF – one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland – has strengthened its position in the regional markets with the senior appointment of Jill Williams.

Jill joins BGF’s portfolio team from Mercia Asset Management, where she was Deputy Fund Principal, Private Equity Funds & Head of ESG. She brings more than 15 years’ experience in private equity investment to the team, having previously worked at RJD Partners in London, starting her career at PwC in corporate finance.

In her previous roles, Jill has focused on the UK’s mid and lower-mid markets, working across the UK’s regions as well as a diverse range of sectors, including professional and financial services, logistics, manufacturing, digital, education and training, leisure and travel, and healthcare.

With experience as both a deal leader and portfolio company board member, she has a deep understanding of the growth investment lifecycle, from origination, execution, portfolio management and realisation, as well as the implementation of strategy into practice.

At BGF, Jill will work closely with entrepreneurs and business owners across the North West and Midlands as part of the portfolio team - managing portfolio company investments, delivering and maximising value creation as a board member, and preparing portfolio companies for long-term growth.

Ben Barker, Head of Portfolio, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jill to the team. Her experience in private equity investment, combined with her broad sector and strategic insight, means she is perfectly positioned to support BGF-backed businesses, as they look to grow in 2023 and beyond. The knowledge and value she will add to boards will be hugely important in helping North West and Midlands-based businesses realise their ambitions.”

Nationally, BGF invested a total of £445 million in 2022, continuing its commitment to providing patient minority-only capital to help ambitious growth companies achieve their full potential. BGF exited 40 companies across the UK, with an accumulative value of over £675 million and a combined money multiple of 2x.

Jill commented: “BGF has created a real point of difference in the market with an unwavering drive to back ambitious entrepreneurs and business owners across a range of sectors and regions, with a patient and long-term approach.

“In the current climate, there is a real opportunity to create value in portfolio businesses, and I’m looking forward to building relationships with management teams to support them on their growth journey.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ian Jones .