BGF, a non-controlling equity investor to growing businesses in the UK and Ireland, has made a multi-million-pound investment in CWC Group, a family-owned specialist care provider, based in Northern Ireland.
Founded in 1983, CWC Group is a healthcare company that provides high-quality domiciliary, residential nursing and disability care, across seven locations throughout Northern Ireland. The business is family-run, and operated by daughters of a co-founder: chief executive Aisling Byrne and chief learning & development officer Shauna Byrne.
“At a time when there is a shortage of quality facilities to meet demand in Northern Ireland, we’re looking forward to working with Aisling, Shauna, and the wider team, to expand their care home portfolio and continue to provide a vital service to communities across the province,” said Chris Nixon, investor at BGF.
BGF’s investment will support CWC’s acquisition of new sites and develop its service offering in specialist care.
“This investment from BGF comes at an exciting time for CWC Group, and will enable us to take the next steps towards developing our care services for our service users and geographical footprint in Northern Ireland,” said Byrne. “We have a solid pipeline of new specialist care homes that will enable us to further support the NI Trusts with high-quality, dedicated care facilities for adults with specialist care needs.
The investment is the first BGF has made into a female-powered business, since it committed at least £300m to the Invest in Women Taskforce’s funding pot, to support scaling female-powered businesses over the next five years.
“CWC Group has been built on deep expertise and a profound commitment to care,” said Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF. “What stands out is not just the strength of its services, but the calibre and vision of its leadership.
“We’re proud for this to be our first investment, since making our £300m commitment to female-powered businesses.”
Press release: BGF backs CWC Group, as part of £300m pledge to female-led businesses