Bath-based Independent Vetcare – the UK’s fastest-growing veterinary group – and Corsham-based cloud infrastructure firm Skyscape Cloud Services have won awards in an annual celebration of excellence in private equity and venture capital.
Vetcare, backed by Summit Partners, and Skyscape, backed by Business Growth Fund, landed the Mid-Market Team and Venture or Growth Company Team awards respectively at British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) South West Management Team Awards 2016 last week. 
They were presented as part of the annual BVCA Wales and South West Dinner at Bath’s Assembly Rooms.
Independent Vetcare, which operates from more than 350 sites across the country, was founded by CEO David Hillier in 2011 with the acquisition of three practices encompassing 20 sites and backed by August Equity.
It was acquired by Summit Partners in 2014 and has undergone rapid growth, both organically and through acquisitions.
By carefully building a reputation based on ‘what is good medicine rather than good business’ it continues to acquire new practices, consciously not building a national brand and remaining sensitive to the local market. The group now employs more than 2,500 people.
The award judges said: “David Hillier and his team have managed an impressive combination of both very rapid growth, acquiring over 350 vet practices since 2011, whilst at the same time developing a distinctive ‘vet friendly’ ethos. Impressive financial performance reflects their skill in integrating acquisitions whilst building a strong culture.”
Skyscape Cloud Services was also founded in 2011 to provide cloud infrastructure services solely to the UK public sector, with clients including the Cabinet Office, Home Office, HMRC and the Ministry of Defence.
It provides typical cost savings of more than 50% versus the traditional server models as the public sector continues to shift its IT infrastructure to the cloud.
The business has increased its headcount ten-fold over the past four years and since BGF’s investment in May 2014, has experienced rapid growth, increasing revenues from £3.7m in 2014 to £16.2m last year.
The judges said: “Skyscape was founded in 2011 and in a short time has achieved an astonishing level of credibility and trust in its assured cloud solution, with some of the largest public sector organisations as clients. The judges admired the management team’s skill in taking a leading position in a market which had been dominated by very large, powerful competitors.”
The awards, now in their eighth year, are produced in association with accountants Grant Thornton.
They recognise and reward the achievements and success of businesses across the UK which are backed by private equity and venture capital funds.
The other regional winners were:
* Bristol-based Oasis Healthcare, a leading provider of NHS and private dental treatment throughout the UK and backed by Bridgepoint. It employs 5,500 people, including 1,600 dentists, across 360 sites. It won both the Large Company Team and Social Responsibility Team categories.
* Chris Ormrod of Taunton-based frozen desserts firm Ministry of Cake, backed by LDC, who topped the CEO category.
Chair of the South West judging panel Paul Oldham, who is also regional director at Business Growth Fund, said: “The awards are unique in their celebration of companies backed by private equity and venture capital, and I am delighted to see such a unique set of winners for the South West this year.
“From vets and dentists, to IT providers and cake makers, the South West is home to an impressively diverse range of businesses, each one a leader in their field and all perfect examples of what ambitious, talented management teams can achieve with the right support.”
Grant Thornton regional head of corporate finance and awards judge Mark Naughton added: “It is a pleasure to be sponsoring these awards again. It is an honour to meet such a diverse range of successful businesses in our region, and great to be a part of celebrating the achievements of these private equity and venture capital-backed management teams. There was a high calibre of businesses nominated so this year’s panel had an extremely difficult task in deciding the winners.
“It has been extremely encouraging to hear such positive feedback from all the nominees about how supportive their investors have been during their respective journeys. The South West is establishing itself as a real entrepreneurial hotspot, nurturing a number of growing, ambitious businesses which are all helping contribute to a vibrant economy.
“Not only do these awards open doors to potential clients, they also strengthen business’ profiles in the wider corporate community. Congratulations not only to the winners but all those nominated.”
The winners will now be entered into the national final to compete against other UK regions before the national winners are announced at the BVCA Gala Dinner on December 8 in London.
