YFM

YFM Equity Partners won two industry awards on 22 September, VCT of the Year at the Investor Allstars Awards and VCT Deal of the Year at the unquote British Private Equity Awards.

VCT of the Year 2011 

The Investor Allstars Awards is one of the most important industry events that recognise the leading investors in the venture capital community. YFM Equity Partners won the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) of the year award for their management of the British Smaller Companies (BSC) VCT, the *top performing VCT over the past decade. In the past year it has returned a record £7.5m in dividends to its shareholders.

VCT Deal of the Year 2011

The 2011 unquote British Private Equity Awards honour innovation and excellence in private equity and venture capital. YFM Equity Partners won VCT deal of the year for their partial exit of GO Outdoors, the outdoor retail specialist to 3i Group plc. YFM Equity Partners originally invested in GO Outdoors over 13 years ago in May 1998 when it was just one store with sales of £2.2m. It has transformed the business into the success it is today with 30 stores and £115m of sales across the UK. 

David Hall, Managing Director of YFM Equity Partners commented: “We are delighted to win both these awards. They are testimony to the great performance of our business over the past year and some well earned recognition for our teams and the entrepreneurial managements that continue to transform small businesses in our 200 strong portfolio every day. It is also extremely good for our industry demonstrating that we are long term investors in the UK’s fast growing small businesses”