Grant Thornton advises BVG Airflo Group Limited BVG Airflo Group Limited has sold a stake to Business Growth Fund

The BVG Airflo Group Limited (BVG) was formed in 1991 by Iain Burgess and has grown from a single person operation to a highly profitable and cash generative non-high street multi-channel retailer with several unique routes to market. The Group specialises in the sale and distribution of footwear and clothing, home and garden products, fishing tackle & equipment and sports nutrition products. Brands include Samuel Windsor, Clifford James, Fishtec and Matrix Nutrition. 

BVG have made a number of successful acquisitions over the years, which have diversified the business and opened up new markets and channels. Further to the management team's desire to pursue other significant opportunities to further the organic and inorganic growth of the business, the shareholders decided to seek a minority sale of the business. This was a clear opportunity to de-risk their position and bring on a strategic partner to continue the growth of the business. 

We provided sell-side advisory services to the shareholders on this transaction, resulting in Business Growth Fund (BGF) providing a £10 million investment. 

Running an efficient process from late February 2015 and marketing the business in April 2015, our corporate finance team approached a targeted group of mid-market private equity buyers. After strong interest, the shareholders chose BGF as their preferred investment partner, providing the opportunity to augment the management team and bring on board a new high calibre Chairman. 

We leveraged their relationship built over a number of years with BVG and their private equity relationships to quickly understand the needs of the business and its shareholders and deliver suitable buyers to the management team. 

Our team led the negotiations for the transaction and were able to secure an outstanding result for the client, as well as helping secure a great future for the business.