Posted: 26 March 2024

WestBridge Value Creation approach recognised at national awards

We were delighted to receive an Actum Value Creation Award last week for deploying our Value Creation Model at environmental consultancy, APEM Group.

We received the Value Creation Expansion category award, created to recognise a private equity firm that has successfully guided a portfolio company through growth by entering new territories and through the introduction of additional product lines and services.

The award was received by Rebecca Sinclair, Valerie Kendall, and Guy Davies. Rebecca, who coordinates the implementation of the WestBridge Value Creation Model across our portfolio, along with Peter Barkley have been instrumental in the success at APEM. 

Since we invested in APEM five years ago, turnover has increased from £10m to £80m, and the business is on track to achieve target EBITDA in the mid-twenties this year (up from £2m in FY19).

This exceptional performance is the result of our close collaboration and formation of a high-performance partnership with the APEM management team. Creating these partnerships with management is a cornerstone of WestBridge's Value Creation Model.

Here are a few examples of how we supported the APEM team:

• Created a strong talent acquisition engine that has seen headcount increase from c.100 to c.650
• Introduced an industry-leading sales and business development function
• Backed the acquisition of six businesses, each with a strong strategic and cultural fit
• Expanded the business internationally into Australia, Ireland, and the US
• Supported the development and growth of the senior leadership team

Working closely together on these value creation initiatives with management has driven the company's outstanding performance. Both APEM and we are delighted that our achievements have been recognised with such a prestigious award.

We were also pleased that our approach to Value Creation was more widely recognised by WestBridge being one of the four private equity firms shortlisted in the Value Creation Team of the Year category.