Scaling sustainably: how scaleups can balance a growing footprint with a growing business
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Talent Network
BGF’s Talent Network supports the growth of businesses across the UK & Ireland
6,000
network connections in diverse sectors and positions
378
chairs and non-execs appointed to company boards
60
%
of the network is based outside London
BGF’s Talent Network is one of the largest groups of board-level non-executives in the UK and Ireland. Our network is able to support companies with ad hoc advice, commercial insight and interim leadership. Each introduction is carefully researched and considered to ensure the best person for the job is put forward.
Matching ambitious companies with the brightest individuals
Much like our investments, we take a patient approach to helping companies find talent. We spend many years developing relationships with experienced chairs and non executive directors, only introducing them to companies when we know it’s the right fit. This focus on quality matchmaking means we aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions around what kind of person will work best in a role, taking a more creative approach when appropriate.
Appointment success stories from across the UK and Ireland
BGF invested £4m into double Queen's award-winner, DriveWorks to support international expansion.
- DriveWorks, headquartered in Warrington, works with manufacturing and engineering businesses to provide innovative design automation and 3D sales product configuration software solutions.
- Sharon Baylay, current chair of BGF-backed Unique Digital, was appointed as non-executive chair following an introduction by BGF's Talent Network team. Sharon is a former main board director at Microsoft UK and former marketing director at BBC. She is also senior independent director - Restore plc and non-executive director and ESG chair - Hyve Group plc. Sharon also acts as a coach to a number of senior leaders.
BGF invested £6m in UNRVLD to support its organic and acquisitive growth strategy.
- UNRVLD is an award-winning digital agency with offices in Cardiff, Manchester and London, offering extensive services across Customer Experience, digital strategy, search marketing, CRO and more.
- BGF's Talent Network team helped place Paul Heywood as non-executive director and currently serves as chief revenue officer at Puppet and is a partner at US strategic growth and investment firm, York IE. Paul is a widely referenced industry authority, having been featured across platforms such as Forbes, BBC World News, The Next Web and The Wall Street Journal.
BGF completed a multi-million-pound investment in Stark to expand the businesses product offering both in the UK and internationally.
- Stark collects, processes, assures and distributes data representing around 20 per cent of the UK’s electricity supply, every day. It serves over 30,000 organisations including large energy users, intermediaries, and energy suppliers
- Steve Jennings, current NXD at BGF-backed Cornwall Insight, was appointed NXD at completion following an introduction by BGF’s Talent Network team. Steve was previously the Head of Power and Utilities at PwC.
£10.25m invested in Jola, an award-winning mobile data specialist
- BGF's backing will support continued growth of the channel partner base and the introduction of new products and capabilities.
- Martin Harriman was introduced to Jola through BGF’s experienced Talent Network Team, joining the board as non-executive director. Martin is a former main board director, O2 and former head of Telefonica's global consumer Internet of Things business based in Madrid. He is also non-executive chair - Waveoptics, non-executive chair - Community Fibre Ltd. and senior independent director - Cambridge Communication Systems.
Team
John Coburn
Talent Network / London
Joanne Hosker
Talent Network / Manchester
Sophie Birch
Talent Network / London
Andy Watts
Talent Network / London
Mo Alexander
Talent Network / London
Lian Mann
Personal Assistant / Birmingham
Cate Poulson
Head of Talent Network / London, Reading
Frankie Modoo
Personal Assistant / London
Our EFD Programme
Our market leading EFD programme is our network of Experienced Finance Directors and CFOs with whom we work on a consultancy basis both across the portfolio and when reviewing new investment opportunities. If you are an experienced CFO interested in following a consultancy, plural or non-executive career, then our EFD programme could be for you!
Find out morePartner with BGF's Talent Network
If you’re looking for new talent to help your business take the next step forward, or want to join BGF’s growing national network of business leaders and board level non-execs, get in touch with us below.
