Whilst many may be aware of the digital disruption on banking, few are aware to what extent; the open data API recently made available to developers, paired with smart phone
technology has the potential to transform more than how they simply view their bank balance.
Bud is using this innovation to bring a new perspective and experience to banking, using data to understand it’s community and provide them with a platform focused on connecting them with the things they love; with the belief that together they can do more.
CarNext.com is a disruptive digital used car platform, that enables customers to buy, lease and subscribe to high-quality used cars. Its mission is to create the leading marketplace for flexible mobility solutions in Europe centered on trust, efficiency and transparency. CarNext.com offers customers fixed prices, full ownership and maintenance history and a ‘no-questions-asked’ 14-days period. Using a proprietary, data-driven model, CarNext.com can match supply and demand across Europe. CarNext.com is supported by a network of Delivery Stores, where customers can view the cars, receive consultation services before making a final purchase decision.
BPP is a prominent educational institution in the UK that focuses on business and professional training. It specializes in areas such as accounting, finance, law, health, and management, emphasizing employability and practical skills that appeal to employers. BPP offers flexible learning options, including both online and in-person classes, to accommodate diverse student needs. The institution is dedicated to enhancing career prospects through industry-relevant education, delivered by experienced professionals. Additionally, BPP provides various financial support options, such as scholarships and bursaries, to assist students in their educational pursuits.
Private Equity Round in 2020
Globalization Partners, Inc. provides outsourced professional employer organization (PEO) and employment services, facilitating global workforce management for client companies. Its Global Expansion Platform™ allows businesses to hire talent in over 150 countries quickly, eliminating the need for costly foreign subsidiaries. By managing payroll and legal compliance through local subsidiaries, the company mitigates the risks associated with global expansion. Globalization Partners offers a range of services, including customized employee benefits packages, compliant HR policies, employment contracts, and legal support on local labor laws. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional offices in San Diego and various international locations, the company is recognized for its expertise in enabling businesses to navigate complex global employment landscapes efficiently.
BCA Marketplace operates the largest used vehicle exchange in the UK and Europe, offering a range of services through its various segments, including Vehicle Remarketing, Vehicle Buying, and Automotive Services. The company provides both physical and digital auction services, as well as vehicle preparation and marketing services prior to sales. It supports car dealers with financial services for purchasing vehicles at its auctions and offers automotive logistics and digital services to aid retailers in marketing and disposing of used cars. BCA Marketplace also caters to manufacturers and fleet operators with outsourced remarketing and defleet services. Additionally, it provides a consumer vehicle disposal channel, allowing individuals to sell their cars directly for cash. The company, which was formerly known as Haversham Holdings plc, rebranded in March 2015 and was taken private in November 2019. BCA Marketplace is headquartered in Bedford, United Kingdom, and includes the well-known vehicle buying service, We Buy Any Car, enhancing its capabilities in facilitating vehicle ownership transfers.
NKD Group is a retail business that specializes in offering a wide range of textiles and home accessories. The company provides fashionable clothing options for men, women, and children, catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Customers can find a variety of items, including dresses, blouses, trousers, and jackets at competitive prices. Additionally, NKD features functional sportswear and home textiles, as well as seasonal decorations. The product assortment is available through both online and offline stores, ensuring accessibility and convenience for shoppers. By regularly updating its offerings with seasonal novelties and trends, NKD aims to meet the evolving needs of residential households and the sports sector.
Buffalo Grill S.A. is a prominent casual dining chain headquartered in Avrainville, France, with a significant presence in France, Spain, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Founded in 1980, it has grown to operate over 350 western-themed restaurants, including approximately 100 franchised locations. Employing more than 5,000 individuals, Buffalo Grill serves around 30 million meals annually, making it one of the most recognized restaurant brands in France. The chain is known for its diverse and affordable menu, which primarily focuses on beef dishes, and its restaurants are typically located in retail parks and on the outskirts of medium-sized cities. Buffalo Grill attracts a loyal customer base looking for a casual dining experience suitable for various occasions.
Private Equity Round in 2015
Euro Garages is an innovative approach to roadside retail property. Euro Garages has forged high-profile relationships with nationally and globally recognised retail and convenience brands. We are committed to providing excellent customer service, good value products and a wide range of facilities, and customers have come to expect high standards from all of our forecourts and retail sites.Passion for quality, convenience and customer service is at the heart of Euro Garages.
David Lloyd Leisure is a sport, health, and leisure business that runs health clubs and gyms.
LeasePlan Corporation N.V., headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a leading fleet management and mobility services company operating internationally. Founded in 1963, LeasePlan provides a comprehensive range of services, including vehicle purchase, financing, insurance, maintenance, and remarketing. The company caters to large corporations, public-sector entities, small and medium-sized enterprises, and individual drivers. In addition to traditional fleet management services, LeasePlan offers financing solutions, fleet management software, and consultancy services, as well as maintenance management, insurance, and fuel management. The company also operates CarNext.com, a digital platform for buying or subscribing to used cars, and has an online savings bank providing flexible savings accounts and term deposits. With over 7,300 employees across 33 countries, LeasePlan continues to be a significant player in the fleet management sector and is known for its innovative approach to mobility solutions.
Hurtigruten operates premium exploration voyages to Norway, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Europe, Africa, South America, Central America, Arctic Canada, and Antarctica. These are unique destinations where the natural beauty is matched only by the breathtaking beauty and stunning diversity of its wilderness, inhabitants, flora, and fauna. On all of the small ships in our fleet you will find modern facilities and equipment designed specifically to sail in remote areas.
International Car Wash Group is the world’s largest car wash company currently operating in 14 countries around the globe. ICWG is led by an experienced team of car wash and investment professionals committed to delivering value, both for our customers and investors. The team is focused on developing and growing the ICWG brand through a combination of market expansion, continuous innovation and investment.
We are the world’s largest Car Wash company and every year we wash over 34 million cars in 13 countries. Since we began we have washed over 800m cars throughout the world. We offer a consistent quality car wash at great value for money at over 836 locations around the world. In the UK we trade as ARC and IMO in the rest of the world. IMO Car Wash Group is the largest dedicated car wash company in the world and was founded in Germany in 1965. The group has expanded to include over 330 sites in Germany, 300 in the UK and over 300 sites throughout the rest of Europe and Australia. The IMO experience offers quality, speed and value for money through a unique conveyor wash system which can wash up to 4 cars at a time, with guaranteed results every car
Retirement Advantage is a specialist provider of retirement income solutions in the United Kingdom. The company offers a range of products, including annuities, income drawdown options, and equity release services, designed to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Founded in 1852 and based in Worthing, Retirement Advantage operates as a subsidiary of MGM Advantage Holdings Limited. With a focus on understanding the specific requirements of retirees, the company aims to deliver tailored financial solutions that support individuals in managing their retirement funds effectively.
Shenzhen Pengai Medical Beauty Hospital, part of Shenzhen Pengai Medical Treatment Group, specializes in aesthetic medical services, focusing on plastic surgery and a range of cosmetic treatments. Established in 1997 and located in Shenzhen, China, the hospital offers three primary categories of treatments: Plastic Surgery, Miniature Beauty, and Laser Beauty. In the realm of plastic surgery, services include liposuction, eye lift surgery, chin shaping, and breast augmentation. The Miniature Beauty category features non-surgical options such as botox, body sculpting, and rhinoplasty. For Laser Beauty, the hospital provides treatments for skin whitening, wrinkle reduction, stretch mark removal, and mole treatment. Additionally, the facility offers a variety of other aesthetic services, ensuring comprehensive care for clients seeking both surgical and non-surgical procedures.
Lowell Group is a prominent provider of credit management services based in Leeds, United Kingdom. The company specializes in debt recovery, data analytics, and customer insights, offering a comprehensive approach to integrated debt management strategies throughout the credit arrears life cycle. It includes Lowell Financial, a market leader in debt purchasing, and Fredrickson International, recognized for its excellence in debt servicing. Lowell Group operates across various industries, such as financial services, communications, home retail credit, and utilities, acquiring consumer debts from creditors and assisting debtors in recovering these debts. With a workforce of over 1,100 employees, the Group leverages significant expertise and experience in the credit management sector.
Mortgage Contracting Services LLC, based in Tampa, Florida, specializes in providing a range of property-related services to the financial services industry across the United States. Established in 1986, the company offers comprehensive solutions that include property inspections, preservation, REO property maintenance, and valuation services tailored for mortgage lenders and servicers. Its inspection services encompass various types such as occupancy, property condition, and insurance loss inspections, while property preservation services include lawn maintenance, winterization, and debris removal. In addition, MCS provides REO maintenance services, which cover janitorial tasks, repairs, emergency maintenance, and eviction management. The company also offers ancillary services such as property registration, environmental remediation, and utility management. As of 2013, MCS operates as a subsidiary of VPS Holdings Limited, enhancing its capacity to deliver specialized outsourced processes throughout the mortgage life cycle.
Tianjin GreenBio Materials Co., Ltd. specializes in the development, production, and sale of fully degradable bio-based polymer materials known as PHA, along with various application products. Established in 2003 and located in Tianjin, China, the company offers a range of products including resin materials, pellets for blowing films, foaming, and sheets. Tianjin GreenBio is committed to promoting the use of biodegradable materials across diverse industries to reduce reliance on petroleum resources and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and plastic pollution. Their PHA products, derived from plant sources rather than oil, are designed to have lower energy consumption throughout their lifecycle compared to traditional plastic alternatives, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Stonegate Pub Company is a prominent pub operator based in Solihull, United Kingdom, managing over 690 pubs and bars throughout the country. The company offers a diverse range of venues, including traditional and branded pubs, clubs, country inns, and late-night establishments, catering to various customer preferences and occasions. Stonegate’s portfolio includes both leased and tenanted properties, allowing patrons to engage with traditional British culture in settings that range from commercial centers to suburban areas. This extensive network enables Stonegate to provide varied experiences for its clientele, enhancing social interactions and celebrations across the UK.
VPS, known as The Vacant Property Specialists, is a leading provider of security, management, and maintenance services for vacant properties in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to secure and maintain unoccupied properties across various sectors, ensuring they remain safe and retain their value. VPS serves a diverse clientele, addressing the unique needs of vacant properties, remote sites, construction projects, and even selectively occupied properties. With a focus on efficiency and quick service, VPS helps customers mitigate the risks associated with vacancy, while also aiming to minimize the broader impacts on surrounding communities. Through its proven expertise, VPS delivers peace of mind to property owners and managers, reinforcing its status as a trusted partner in property security.
Phoenix Group Holdings plc, a closed life assurance fund consolidator, acquires and manages closed life and pension funds primarily in Europe. It operates through four segments: UK Heritage, UK Open, Europe, and Management Services. The company also manufactures and underwrites new products and policies, such as pension and long-term savings products under the Standard Life brand. In addition, it offers financial products, including life cover, equity release, and funeral plans under the SunLife brand. The company was formerly known as Pearl Group and changed its name to Phoenix Group Holdings plc in March 2010. Phoenix Group Holdings plc was founded in 1782 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.
Modulaire Group is a leading modular space leasing business in Europe and the Asia Pacific and a global provider of remote workforce accommodation management solutions. In Europe, with over 200,000 modular space and storage units, Algeco has the largest fleet base amongst its competitors and has a strong market-leading position. Algeco operates as Algeco in Continental Europe, Elliott in the United Kingdom, Ausco in Australia, Portacom in New Zealand, and Target Logistics globally.
Over a period of more than 25 years, Euro Pool Group has developed into the largest logistics service provider of reusable standard packaging in Europe: a success that we share with all the parties in the chain. Every day, producers, transporters, processing companies and retailers benefit from the advantages of our reusable crates and pallets. With a network of approximately 168 service centres in 12 countries, we provide reliability, flexibility, sustainability and efficiency throughout the whole chain. Euro Pool Group consists of Euro Pool System and LPR - La Palette Rouge : two divisions with their own history and expertise in the area of packaging pooling. While Euro Pool System, with its reusable trays and foldable crates, has become the standard in the European chain for fresh and packaged food, LPR with its innovative pooling systems for pallets, has assumed a leading position in the FMCG sector. We cherish our corporate values, encouraging team spirit, personal growth, respect, entrepreneurship and innovation.
PizzaExpress is a restaurant group that operates over 400 locations in the United Kingdom and an additional 40 restaurants across Europe, Hong Kong, India, and the Middle East. The chain specializes in handcrafted pizzas offered in various styles, complemented by a selection of snacks, beverages, and other food items. PizzaExpress aims to provide consumers with a fun and lively dining atmosphere, appealing to a diverse clientele in the fast food industry.