Bridges appoints Simon Braham as a partner in the Sustainable Growth Funds, to kick-start a new base in Manchester.

As we look to partner with more impact-driven management teams across the Northern Regions, Bridges has established a permanent presence in Manchester, to complement our existing office in London.

To lead this new effort, we have appointed Simon Braham, formerly of LDC, to build the team and spearhead investment activities across the North of England.

Simon Braham, as a partner in the Sustainable Growth Funds, will be responsible for leading investments in purpose-driven growth businesses. 

He is an experienced private equity investor and non-executive director who has worked across a number of sectors, including TMT, healthcare, leisure, support services, consumer goods and industrial.

At LDC, he completed 12 investments in businesses across the North, investing more than £200m of equity.

His successful exits included Cheshire-based field service management software specialist Kirona, Lancashire-based clinical research specialist Synexus, Hull-based cloud service provider Giacom and Seabrook Crisps in Yorkshire.

Simon has also previously held positions at JP Morgan and KPMG. He said: “Over the last few years, there has been an explosion of interest in purpose-driven business and investment.

“More and more people are recognising that by helping to solve our biggest social and environmental challenges, businesses can tap into long-term growth trends and create lasting economic value.

“There are a growing number of entrepreneurs and management teams across the North who are putting purpose at the heart of their business model and are actively seeking a mission-aligned investment partner.

“I am looking forward to talking to these teams – and the advisor communities across the region – about how Bridges can support them to accelerate their growth and deepen their impact.”

Philip Newborough, co-CEO, said: “Establishing a permanent presence in Manchester was a natural next step for Bridges, given the ever-growing appetite for sustainable business and the fact that a number of our biggest investors are based in the North.

“Simon is just the right person to lead our efforts in the region.

“His track record as an investor speaks for itself, and we are looking forward to drawing on all his experience, as well as resources from across the Bridges platform.

“By expanding our presence in the region, our goal is to get to know more of these next-generation companies and show them why Bridges should be their growth partner of choice.”

Bridges is pleased to Simon to the team, and we look forward to making an impact up North!