Investment fund expands team with Aberdeen appointment

Keith Barclay joins the BGF team from Souter Investments, the private investment vehicle of Sir Brian Souter.

Before that, he worked at boutique corporate finance house, Blas, and originally trained and qualified as a lawyer at Shepherd and Wedderburn. He has an honours degree in law from the University of Aberdeen.

BGF has recently made investments in Keenan Recycling, which is expanding its food waste business across Scotland, and Rovop, a subsea remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) services company. BGF also provided a further £4 million to one of its earlier investments, Stats.

Mike Sibson of BGF’s Aberdeen office said: “Market conditions are tough in the energy sector, but difficult markets can also provide opportunity.

“We have an appetite to continue to invest. To do this we need to recruit the highest calibre investment professionals, and Keith is a great addition to the Aberdeen team.”

Mr Barclay joins BGF’s 70-strong nationwide investment team responsible for providing long-term minority growth capital in businesses with revenue typically between £5million and £100million.

BGF’s investors also provide support either as board members or observers in the companies in which they invest.

Set up to fill a funding gap for Britain’s growing smaller and medium-sized businesses, since 2011 BGF has invested in a diverse portfolio of close to 100 companies.

Alongside investment, BGF also provides portfolio businesses with practical and strategic support through its network of senior and experienced business.