Value Creation is central to everything we do at WestBridge.
Our approach is structured, systematic, strategic and, most importantly, relationship led. Unique in the lower mid-market, our approach is hands-on and aims to:
- Identify businesses that are well positioned for fast-tracked growth
- Partner with management to exceed and accelerate their growth expectations
- Deliver outsized returns to investors and the management teams we work with
- Work with management and our consultants to deliver consistant growth and tackle any bumps in the road together to maintain portfolio stability and deliver consistant top decile performance
“WestBridge is the only lower mid-market private equity firm we know that systematically identifies potential development areas as part of the investment process on every deal. The firm also funds the cost of consulting support to deliver improvements and undertakes a comprehensive business improvement programme over the life of the investment. In my view, WestBridge is ‘best in class’.”
Graeme Hall, CEO, Sales Blueprint
This was a complex deal involving a high growth, Bracknell based, technology business operating in a rapidly growing emerging global niche market. The transaction dynamics meant that there were a number of sensitivities to navigate throughout the deal process. WestBridge’s partnership approach ensured that the deal progressed smoothly giving the business the potential to fully capitalise on the tremendous global market opportunity.
Mark Sutherland, non-executive chair at Techex
WestBridge demonstrated a highly strategic approach to the creation of value at bChannels. They backed management’s vision to build a unique, market-leading data product and had the foresight to support the team in the re-engineering of the business to generate rapid and sustainable, high margin revenue growth.
Richard Bandell, non-executive chair at bChannels
WestBridge was highly supportive of me developing the management team and business so that we could deliver a great outcome for all involved. WestBridge’s partnership approach and value creation model unlocked additional growth and resulted in an exciting new chapter under new ownership for this Oxford based business.
Richard Cotterell, CEO Vista
Value Creation through a structured, systematic, hands-on strategy
Westbridge Value Creation Model
DEEP RELATIONSHIPS
- Build and nurture strong relationships with management teams, consistently exceeding their expectations leading to outperformance of the plan
- Create a trusting and collaborative board environment
- Hands on but not operationally involved we come away from board meetings with our own action list
FLEXIBLE MODEL
- Pre-funded ringfenced Operating Consultant fees provide flexibility to tailor value creation initiatives to each business as they develop
- Flexible deal team targeted to each deal based on areas of expertise
- Multiple Operating Consultants in each value discipline to ensure relationship and expertise fit
PARTNERSHIP APPROACH
- Jointly agree key value creation drivers
- Work with management to ensure strong Operating Consultant fit and gather feedback for continuous improvement
- Structure transaction to ensure end goal alignment
EXPERIENCED TEAM
- Provide valuable insight on areas for improvement
- Demonstratable track record of scaling businesses through a partnership with management driving value creation and multiple arbitrage
STRUCTURED PROCESS
- Work starts pre-investment
- Regular internal reviews on value creation initiatives
- Regular dialogue with Operating Consultants to maintain best in class approach
IDENTIFY BUSINESSES THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM WESTBRIDGE VALUE CREATION
PRE-FUND OPERATING CONSULTANT FEES AT COMPLETION
WORK WITH MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCE GROWTH AND QUALITY OF EARNINGS
DELIVER OUTSIZED RETURNS THROUGH ACCELERATED EBITDA GROWTH AND MULTIPLE ARBITRAGE
Minimise portfolio volatility through a systematic Value Creation Model
WestBridge operating consultants expertise
ESG
- Implement environmental, social and governance strategy, diligence and recommendations
Sales
- Lead sales effectiveness, system and process reviews
- Distribution management
- Advice on sales recruitment
IT
- Assess and improve ERP and bespoke systems, systems integration and project planning
- Conduct strategic IT consulting
Operations
- Implement workflow planning systems
- Advise on asset utilization
- Improve operational efficiency
Management
- Develop and mentor senior management
- Ensure succession planning is undertaken sensitively and collaboratively
Pricing
- Improve pricing and pricing strategy
- Implement pricing and profit opportunities
HR
- Use organisation design tools to ensure that the c-suite has the bandwidth to deliver the plan
- Organisational framework and performance management
- Learning & Development, employee engagement
Finance
- If required, recruit interim FDs to critically assess financial systems, finance team, CFO, reporting and controls
- Advise on financial planning and analysis
- Provide modelling support where needed
Marketing
- Recruit marketing team if required
- Assess routes to market and market perception
- Review collateral and USP communication
