6th July 2016
Watch: the Hub pharmacy’s local community focus
The UK’s ageing population and rise in chronic illnesses are driving increasing demand for medicines and associated healthcare services, placing ever-greater pressure on primary care provision within the NHS. The Hub pharmacy is a new community pharmacy group that aims to improve local health outcomes by providing preventative health services in underserved areas. Additional services […]
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7th July 2016
Watch: How Babington helped over 32,000 learners
Babington Group helps to combat the skills shortage in the UK with its growing offering of high-quality apprenticeships and skills training in a variety of sectors, such as finance and accountancy, health and social care, retail and property services. While backed by Bridges, Babington supported over 32,000 learners, and helped over 3,700 formerly unemployed people […]
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6th January 2016
The Hub pharmacy acquires 11th site, in Hyde
The Hub pharmacy, a community pharmacy group backed by the Bridges Sustainable Growth Fund III, has continued its buy-and-build strategy by acquiring its 11th site: the Market Street, Hyde branch of HBS Pharmacy. The branch is an excellent fit within the Hub group as it already offers a number of community-focused health services. Under its […]
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8th March 2016
Bridges-backed Alina Homecare acquires The Care Division
Alina is a provider of homecare services with a focus on best practice and innovation The Care Division is a specialist provider of supported living services for people with learning and other disabilities in the South of England This is the fourth acquisition for Alina, which was founded in 2014 with backing from Bridges Ventures […]
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18th April 2016
Bridges exits apprenticeship provider Babington Group after strong growth
Babington is now one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship and traineeship providers Revenues have increased eight-fold under Bridges’ ownership During the period it has provided training to more than 32,000 learners and helped over 3,700 formerly unemployed people to find jobs Sale price of £22m represents an IRR of 33% for Bridges Bridges Ventures (“Bridges”) […]
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26th April 2016
In the press: Bridges exits Babington Group for 33% return
Bridges recently sold the Babington Group, a leading UK provider of apprenticeships and traineeships, to RJD Partners for £22m, representing an internal rate of return for Bridges of 33%. We backed the business in 2009, as part of our Education and Skills impact theme. Since then, Babington has increased revenues eight-fold, while supporting over 32,000 […]
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30th November 2015
Bridges makes European debut with investment in Viva Gym in Spain
Viva is a chain of low-cost gyms with 16 sites across 11 Spanish cities It improves health outcomes by broadening access to gym facilities This is Bridges’ first investment in mainland Europe, and the eighth from Bridges’ Sustainable Growth Fund III It builds on the expertise the firm developed in this sector as co-founder of […]
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7th December 2015
Wholebake makes the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100
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 […]
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7th December 2015
Bridges-backed Alina Homecare acquires Extra Mile Care
Alina Homecare is an innovative homecare business which delivers high-quality care across the South of England It is backed by Bridges Ventures, the specialist sustainable and impact investor Extra Mile Care, based in North London, is its third acquisition Alina Homecare (“Alina”), the innovative homecare business, has completed its third deal with the acquisition of […]
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9th November 2015
The Gym completes £250m London listing – further proof that commercial growth and social impact can go hand-in-hand
Bridges Ventures co-founded The Gym alongside John Treharne in 2007 after incubating the concept in-house, in line with its ‘health and well-being’ impact focus The Gym pioneered the low-cost gym model in the UK and now has more than 60 sites About a third of its 360,000 members were not previously members of a gym […]
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11th November 2015
Press Coverage: The Gym Group IPO
The 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 […]
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12th November 2015
Babington Group wins big at EducationInvestor Awards
We are delighted to report that Babington Group (a Bridges Sustainable Growth Fund II portfolio company) won the ‘Further or Vocational Education Provider of the Year’ category at the 2015 EducationInvestor Awards last night. Babington delivers high-quality training and apprenticeships that help people achieve their career goals across a number of sectors, including Accountancy, Business […]
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