YFM Equity Partners leads £2m cash injection into British smart devices business Intamac

Demand for connected devices will grow strongly as the Internet of Things (IoT) market is predicted to be worth £26bn by 2020

YFM Equity Partners has led the £2m further growth capital investment alongside existing institutional investors including Seraphim Capital and Carbon Trust Investments Ltd (advised by 350 Investment Partners LLP) into Northampton-headquartered Intamac, a pioneer within the IoT/Connected Home space. 

Intamac develops technology to connect physical products via the internet so they can be monitored and controlled using smart mobile phones and computers. The 'Internet of Things' market is being driven by consumer demand for connected devices in a wide range of applications and is expected to grow from £12bn in May 2014 to £26bn by 2020*.

Expert fluid engineering consultancy BHR Group targets expansion with £2.6m BGF investment

BHR Group, the independent research and technology organisation specialising in the application of fluid engineering to industrial processes, is preparing for expansion thanks to a £2.6m investment of growth capital from BGF (Business Growth Fund).

BHR grew out of the British Hydromechanics Research Association, one of the founding research associations established by the UK government in the 1940's alongside the likes of MIRA and PERA. Current Managing Director Raghbir Chand took control of Cranfield University-based BHR in August 2011 and revenues have grown year on year since. BHR currently employs 84 staff; a mixture of scientists, engineers and commercial staff.

BHR has a well-established heritage, and is recognised globally for its engineering excellence and contribution to fluid dynamics, with a diverse cross-section of clients across multiple industries including Shell, DOW Chemical, Mott McDonald and Sellafield.

Albion Ventures invests £16 million in new residential care homes

Funds managed by Albion Ventures, one of the largest independent venture capital investors in the UK, have committed up to £16 million for the development of two purpose-built residential care homes for the elderly.

The new facilities will be located in Cumnor Hill, Oxford and Hillingdon, Greater London and will cater for a total of 130 elderly residents, providing hotel style accommodation including a bistro, private dining room, library and spa.  Construction on both facilities will start in September 2014 and they will be open to residents in the autumn of 2015.

Berkley Care Group, an award winning provider of elderly care services, will operate the two new facilities..  Albion and Berkley have already established a successful partnership through owning and operating Bayfield Court, a 46 bed purpose-built facility in Chingford, Greater London.

Graphite Capital sells London house builder, London Square

London Square, the fast-growing London house builder, has been sold by Graphite Capital, a leading UK mid-market private equity specialist, to Ares Management in a joint investment by its private equity and real estate funds, for an equity value of £110 million.

Commenting on the transaction, Adam Lawrence, chief executive, London Square, said: "London Square has grown into one of London's leading house builders with the invaluable support of Graphite which backed us at a challenging time for the property market. As we move on to the next stage in our plans for growth, the backing of Ares Management is a tremendous vote of confidence to support our expansion - and the delivery of homes at all levels of the London market in areas where people want to live."

London Square was founded in April 2010 at the height of the recession, with Graphite backing an industry-leading management team led by Adam Lawrence to focus on sites within the M25. Graphite supported the business with £50 million of equity capital, which was drawn down over the following two years. London Square quickly established itself as a high-quality house builder, with an exceptional management team and a strong brand. In addition to completed developments at Shoreditch, Wimbledon and Ruislip, London Square has six other sites underway with significant forward sales. The development pipeline of more than £800 million provides the potential for further strong growth.