Posted: 8 September 2023

Awards round-up

We are delighted to report that our portfolio company, APEM Group has been named a regional winner of the BVCA Vision 2023 Awards, which recognises extraordinary companies backed by private equity.

The fifteen regional winners were assessed on criteria which included competitiveness, growth, innovation and commitment to ESG. Four of these ‘visionary’ companies will go on to receive a national award.

Here’s an extract that sheds light on why APEM was a winner and why we think the group deserves national plaudits:

In March 2019, the APEM management team partnered with WestBridge and completed a management buyout, following a successful 2018 where the group generated an EBITDA of c.£2m on turnover of £10m. This partnership enabled APEM to increase its adjusted EBITDA by 400% over four years, transforming its turnover from £10m to £40m. Bolstered by this success, APEM continues its upward trajectory, with projected figures for 2023 anticipating c.£14m EBITDA on £60m of turnover, a 600% increase over a six-year period.

APEM has also been shortlisted in the International Expansion category of the Barclays Entrepreneur Awards 2023, which celebrate innovation and exceptional entrepreneurship.

Winners of these fiercely contested awards will be announced in November.

Meanwhile, WestBridge has also received some welcome recognition.

Nationally, we have made the shortlist in the ESG – Lower-Mid Cap House of the Year category of the Real Deals ESG Awards 2023.

Regionally, we have been shortlisted for three North West Dealmakers Awards.

Our buyout of Alpine Fire Engineers has been shortlisted for the £10-£50m Deal of the Year, while portfolio company APEM Group's acquisition of Macro Works has made the cut in the sub £10m Deal of the Year. Last but certainly not least, WestBridge has been shortlisted in the PE Team of the Year category.