A stand-out business in Northern Ireland was celebrated at the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) Management Team Awards 2017, an annual celebration of UK companies supported by private equity and venture capital funds, produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP.
RiverRidge was announced and presented with an award in Belfast, as part of the BVCA National Dinner Series – the premier annual gatherings of regional private equity and venture capital professionals in the UK. The waste management company now goes forward into the national final to compete against other regional winners, before the national winners are announced at the BVCA Gala Dinner on 30 November in London.
Now in their ninth year, the BVCA Management Team Awards recognise and reward brilliant businesses up and down the country that are backed by UK private equity and venture capital investors.
Peter Garvey, Chair of the Northern Ireland judging panel and Managing Director at Carlisle said: “Northern Ireland represents some fantastic examples of private equity backed businesses in the UK. This year’s BVCA Management Team Awards recognise RiverRidge as a leading business in the region, supported by private equity and venture capital. Congratulations RiverRidge, and best of luck in representing Northern Ireland in the national awards in November.”
Richard Gillan, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton Northern Ireland, said: “Grant Thornton is proud to be associated with the BVCA Management Team Awards and delighted that the quality of entries and level of competition for this year’s awards has been so high. The winners reflect the high quality businesses in Northern Ireland that are now accessing this form of investment to help them grow and ensure their businesses reach their full potential. We are delighted to not only see the range of businesses who entered the awards but also the growing number of BVCA member firms that have now invested in Northern Ireland companies.”
Northern Ireland’s RiverRidge is a market leader in waste management, which has transformed from a small skip hire and landfill business to the full scale operation that it is today.
Initially acquired in 2011, RiverRidge has undergone significant investment, encouraging the company’s services and capabilities within its sector. It works with 3,500 of Northern Ireland’s businesses, public bodies and local authorities, whilst employing over 240 staff across the region.
Business Growth Fund invested in the company in September 2016, with a view to support RiverRidge’s growth strategy and develop the group’s existing treatment and operations infrastructure.
Judges’ comment: “Brett Ross and his team have led this business through significant investment and growth since acquiring the company in 2011. The judges were struck by the scale of their ambition in building a market leading waste business as well as extending service lines and acquiring competitors, whilst also building a strong team and investing in regulatory compliance. The investment from BGF in 2016 underscores this ambition. RiverRidge was an integral partner in the recently announce £107m WTE plant at Bombardier. The result is the stand-out business in its sector which is now also delivering for its investors and shareholders.”
