Over the past five years, the number of people employed worldwide by UK companies that have been backed by private equity grew by 8% a year - faster than in FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies. Over 90% of companies in which private equity has invested say that without private equity their businesses would not exist or would have grown far less rapidly.
Over the last 5 years, sales in private equity-backed companies rose by 8% a year (compared to 6% in FTSE 100 companies and 5% in FTSE 250 companies). Over the same period, exports in companies backed by private equity increased by 10% a year, compared with a national growth rate of 4%.
Companies backed by private equity invest more than the national average. In the five years to 2006/7 investment in private equity-backed companies rose by 11% compared with a national increase of 3%.
Private equity-backed companies invest in R&D. In the five years to 2006/07, spending by private equity funded companies increased by 14% a year, compared with a national growth rate of 1%.
We believe that what sets us apart from other firms in the private equity industry is the quality of the people we employ and the breadth of experience and skills they can offer. Our Team combines 42 years of private equity experience with 45 years of operating experience in industry and service businesses. In addition to being proven investment professionals, almost every team member has worked in a management capacity in mid-sized companies and can therefore better relate to the managerial challenges and operational complexities of Mittelstand companies. The entrepreneurial experience and spirit we bring to our endeavors also allows us to better see eye to eye with management teams and company owners.
Our team is supported by a Senior Advisory Board with seasoned executives, who have significant management and investment experiences in European mid-sized companies across a number of sectors. As former CEOs or CFOs they bring a wealth of functional or sectoral expertise and a solid network of relationships that add impact to the development of our companies.
Our culture is an open and collegiate one. We promote debate and discussion and the most professional conduct. Intrinsic to our success is the communication within the team and we pride ourselves on our openness and willingness to share information effectively and promptly. This approach extends equally to our portfolio business management teams and other stakeholders.
