BGF bolsters its Cardiff team with new recruit

BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active investor in growing businesses, has appointed Georgie Stratton in a direct origination role as part of its growing Cardiff team.

Georgie joins BGF from PwC, where she worked in a business development role for two years having joined from a similar position at law firm Burges Salmon.

Her direct origination role will see her focusing on the sourcing of new investments and bolt-on acquisitions for portfolio companies across Cardiff, Bristol and Reading.

Georgie’s appointment will strengthen the offering of the South Wales team, led by Ned Dorbin and Edwin Davies who have been driving BGF’s activities in the region since the opening of the Cardiff office in April 2018.

She joins BGF at the same time as investor Liam Pursall, who will work with the Reading team on new investment opportunities and supporting the growth plans of BGF’s extensive portfolio across the Thames Valley region.

BGF’s investments in Wales include: £6 million in digital agency and Sitecore specialist Kagool; £3 million in DevOpsGroup, the training and consultancy business; and £10 million in BVG Group, the multichannel retailer specialising in clothing, footwear, homeware and garden products.

Commenting on her appointment, Georgie said: “Due to Covid-19, UK businesses are seeking funding and support more than ever before. I’m passionate about helping businesses to thrive and I’m looking forward to working with entrepreneurs to identify opportunities for growth and discuss how BGF can help them realise their ambitions.”

Edwin Davies, investor in South Wales, added: “We’re thrilled to have Georgie on board to drive deal activity in Wales. She joins us at an exciting time, with BGF completing on average one investment a week this year, reflecting the fact that we remain as active as ever through what has been a highly challenging time for ambitious companies. Increasing numbers of entrepreneurs are looking at their funding options – from refinancing CBILS loans through to raising of growth capital to enable expansion into new areas that have arisen as a result of Covid-19 – and we’re growing the team to reflect this.”