Umeco chief joins BGF board
The chairman of Leamington Spa-headquartered Umeco, Neil Johnson, has joined the board of the Birmingham-based £2.5bn Business Growth Fund (BGF).
He has joined alongside new members Audrey Baxter, chief executive of Baxters Food Group; Stephen Murphy, group chief executive of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin group of companies; Hornby and Motability Finance; and John Burgess, co-founder and managing partner of BC Partners and non-executive director of C&C Group.
Stephen Welton, chief executive of the BGF, said: "All four of our new non-executive directors have first hand experience of leading and growing businesses in the UK and abroad. Their expertise and input as board members will be invaluable to the BGF and to our investee companies.
"Businesses need to understand that securing investment from the BGF is about more than just money. Our partnership approach and sharing of expertise, guidance and contacts will be almost as valuable as the cash we inject into their businesses. Confidence as well as aspiration are key watchwords of the BGF."
The £2.5bn BGF was launched in May 2011. It plans to invest between £2m and £10m into businesses, in return for a minimum ten per cent equity stake and a seat on the board.
