Wholebake, a manufacturer of great-tasting gluten-free energy bars under its brand 9BAR, has been included in this year’s Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100, a highly-regarded ranking of the UK’s fastest-growing private companies by sales. Wholebake, which is backed by Bridges Sustainable Growth Fund III, has enjoyed annual revenue growth of 45% over the last […]
Read moreJames Ashwell, founder of Unforgettable, the ‘go-to’ online resource for anyone dealing with dementia, is featured in City A.M. Dementia affects over 44m people around the world, including more than 850,000 people in the UK. In ‘The social changemaker’, James discusses his experience of caring for his mother when she was diagnosed with dementia, and […]
Read moreMichele Giddens, Bridges partner and co-founder, discusses how private capital is becoming increasingly important in the fight against our biggest social and environmental challenges – since government and philanthropic capital alone will not be sufficient. Michele argues that companies will be more valuable in the future if they focus on their impact, using Bridges’ own […]
Read moreThe Municipal Journal, a leading UK publication for local and national government officials, published an article written by Andrew Levitt, investment director with the Bridges Social Sector Funds. In this opinion piece, Andrew argues that local government commissioners should consider using outcomes-based contracts financed by social impact bonds as a way to deliver local services more […]
Read moreThe B Corp movement, a global community of for-profit companies with an explicitly social or environmental mission, came to the UK in September. Bridges – which had been involved with the preparations for the launch and itself certified as a B Corp this summer – played a prominent role: in addition to publishing a report […]
Read moreFollowing the launch of the B Corp movement in the UK earlier this year, James Taylor from Bridges Ventures explores the pros, cons and uncertainties of the most recent certification to make its mark in the world of responsible business and ethical trade. Read the article here.
Read moreThe Gym Group, a low-cost gym business that Bridges built alongside entrepreneur John Treharne, was listed successfully on the London Stock Exchange this month, valued at £250m. Founded in 2008, Bridges has worked intensively to roll-out a group that now operates 66 gyms in the UK, with revenues of £45m last year. The Gym has […]
Read moreSimon Ringer, Partner and Head of the Bridges Property Funds, discusses how refurbishing SME office space to incorporate environmental features can be good for the planet, good for tenants – and good for investor returns. Read the full article here.
Read moreBridges recently announced the creation of ‘the Hub pharmacy’, a new community pharmacy platform which will broaden access to much-needed pharmacy and healthcare services. The pharmacies, which will have a particular focus on preventative healthcare services, will help to free up NHS primary care resources, enhance patient adherence to drug regimens (reducing costly wastage), and […]
Read morePioneers Post discusses the success of three early UK social impact bonds that have paid investors in full and ahead of schedule. Two of the three, Career Connect and Teens & Toddlers, were backed by Bridges – and earlier this year, the providers involved in both were recommissioned to deliver a second SIB-funded programme. Read the […]
Read moreBrian Trelstad, US Partner at Bridges Ventures, discusses the rise of impact investing in an op-ed for Buyouts Magazine, and explains why private equity managers can’t afford to ignore this important new force. View the article on PE Hub here.
Read moreThe Bridges Property Alternatives Fund and Stoford, a leading commercial property company, have teamed up to acquire and develop the 18-acre Prime 10 site in the Wednesfield area of Wolverhampton, at a total estimated cost of circa £20m. Bridges and Stoford plan to transform the derelict site into a high-specification warehouse and logistics centre; it […]
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