The partnership enabled BB7 to execute its buy-and-build strategy, expand its leadership team, and introduce new systems and data-led decision making.
BGF has completed the successful exit of its investment in London-based fire safety consultancy BB7. The business is now powered by Certania Group.
During its partnership with BGF, BB7 has grown into the UK’s leading specialist consultancy in fire and façade engineering. The growth capital investment enabled BB7 to execute a buy-and-build strategy, including the acquisition of Manchester-based Omega Fire and Ireland-based Goldsmith Engineering. BGF also supported the business in expanding its senior leadership team, introducing new systems and processes, and embedding a stronger data-led approach to decision making.
Now a B-Corp certified business, with Best Companies recognition, BB7 operates from 10 offices and employs nearly 200 people. Post-exit, Founder and CEO of BB7 Ben Bradford will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer of Certania Group – Buildings & Infrastructure Division, leading a buy-and-build strategy to create a market-leading inter-disciplinary platform.
Ben Bradford, CEO of BB7, said: “With BGF, we set out an ambitious plan to build the UK’s leading fire and façade engineering consultancy. We have delivered that vision and created a stronger, more resilient business. Their growth capital and strategic support have helped us to expand nationwide, make acquisitions, and professionalise the business.
“I would like to thank the entire BB7 team. I’m hugely proud of what we have achieved together and excited for BB7’s next chapter with Certania.”
The exit from BB7 has generated 3x MM return on BGF’s investment and 21% IRR. It was led by BGF’s Jane Gilbert Boot. During the investment partnership, BB7 received support from BGF team members Matthew Simcox and Daria Polunina.
Jane Gilbert Boot, Investor at BGF, said: “This is a fantastic result for BGF, and for Ben and his team. From the outset, Ben has shown vision and leadership in building BB7 into the UK’s leading specialist in its field, and it has been a privilege to support that journey. The business has grown significantly under our partnership and is now well positioned for its next phase of growth with Certania.”
Sell-side advisors on the transaction were Clearwater and Squire Paton Boggs. Additional support was provided by Eight Advisory (Vendor Finance Due Diligence), CIL Management Consultants (Vendor Commercial Due Diligence) and DSA Advisory (Tax).
It marks the latest in a series of strong exits for BGF, including Monodraught, Brisant Secure, Braidwater Group, Panthera Biopartners and OrganOx. Each of these businesses achieved significant enterprise value growth during BGF’s investments, highlighting the ability of ambitious founders and management teams to scale businesses and deliver meaningful value creation, as well as the strength of BGF’s model of patient capital and scaleup support.
Andy Gregory, CEO at BGF, commented: “These recent exits are a testament to the quality of the founders and management teams we back. Their preparedness and readiness for exit has been critical, with due diligence consistently stacking up and allowing us to complete transactions, even in a challenging market.
“The strength of our portfolio reflects the fact that we continue to attract high-quality businesses, and that’s what is enabling us to deliver strong returns. BGF’s role is to provide funding and, critically, to work alongside management teams in building businesses of real quality — and that partnership is what underpins these fantastic outcomes for management teams and BGF.”
