BGF expands Reading team with new investor

BGF has appointed Cat Dilloway as investor as it continues to strengthen its Reading and wider Thames Valley and Solent team.

Cat is a private equity professional with a particular interest in growth capital investing. Her recent experience includes more than two years working at Maven Capital and she previously worked at Innovate UK and Investec. Prior to beginning her career in the sector, Cat read History and Politics at Oxford University.

Based in BGF’s Reading office, Cat will be responsible for deal origination and execution across the Thames Valley and Solent regions. Her role also includes portfolio management, which will see Cat hold a number of ‘board observer’ positions to provide hands-on strategic advice and guidance to investees.

Cat will work across all sectors and her prior experience will help the team’s ongoing high level of activity in technology investments.

Ned Dorbin, head of BGF in the Thames Valley and South West, said: “Cat is a superb addition to our high-performing team. With her experience and passion for investing in innovative British businesses across a range of fast growth sectors, we are primed to bring in even more investment into ambitious companies that are driving the local economy forwards.”

BGF recently completed an £8 million investment in Operational Solutions, a leading counter drone technologies business based in Reading. Other high-profile deals over the last 18 months include a £10.5 million minority investment in cybersecurity business e2e-assure and a £10 million investment in Polar Technology, which manufactures high-performance carbon and metal components for the automotive, medical and aerospace/defence sectors.

Cat Dilloway commented: “I am thrilled to have joined the Thames Valley and Solent team at BGF and look forward to bringing my experience in the field of fast growth tech-enabled businesses to bear in a region that is brimming with ambitious management teams that are looking to scale.”