Why Matrix?
We provide development capital and acquisition finance but we specialise in buyouts.
Our team has worked together for a decade and completed over 30 buyout investments. We have 130 years’ collective experience and completed our own buyout in 2004 to become owners of our business. We are the authors of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Best Practice Guideline on Private Equity and Management Buyouts.
Others say we are:
- Approachable, flexible, dependable and patient
- Focussed, decisive and responsive
- Successful, commercial with particularly strong empathy with management teams.
To complement our experience, we also have a team of Operating Partners who have direct management experience and a wide range of contacts in our target sectors. This deepens our understanding of the sector and increases our capacity to offer valuable non executive support.
We are proud to share testimonials from a cross-section of our portfolio, highlighting the real benefits that we can deliver to growing companies and an insight into how we operate.
“If you read the popular press, all VC's are clearly merciless, short term, uncaring velociraptors. I cannot think of a less appropriate description of our team at Matrix who have really taken time to understand how our business works. They have become a fundamental part of my management thinking and a much valued sounding board for important strategic decisions. Partners - they do exactly what it says on their tin."
Chris Ormrod, managing director, Ministry of Cake
“We have found working with Matrix to be an extremely positive and motivational experience. They have actively encouraged us to explore our strategic options in a creative way. They do this by drawing upon their wide experience and network of contacts. They offer tangible solutions to operational issues as well as being a superb facilitator of entrepreneurial activity at pivotal moments of the company life cycle."
Sue Davenport, managing director, Pasta King UK
“Matrix held an investment in Maven Management for six years and their involvement and ongoing support led to a successful exit within our joint planning horizon. Not only did they provide most of the cash in the initial deal, but they were a significant contributor to the success of the company through the involvement of their appointed board member. Providing strategic, detailed accounting and corporate governance support, which ensured our eventual sale was achieved without any hitches. Additionally our board member became very knowledgeable about the business and, on many occasions, acted as a great sounding block for myself, the MD, to have a “peer colleague” with whom to discuss the key issues of the day. I would have no hesitation in recommending Matrix for their excellent contribution.”
Iain Livingstone, managing director, Maven Management
“Matrix has been an investor in our business for nearly 5 years. We have found that Matrix have been helpful at all times, and have given the appropriate professional advice, being highly supportive of both my management team and myself. Matrix are always available to discuss strategic and tactical issues and have excellent contacts within the legal and business finance arenas, which has proved to be an asset to our business. I can recommend Matrix as being a supportive partner, adding value beyond the typical board input expected of an institutional investor.”
David Gregory, managing director, Brookerpaks
“Matrix has been an investor in our business for nearly 8 years. They have been very supportive throughout this time and been available to discuss strategic and tactical issues as they arise. Their long term view of the relationship with our business has been very important to underpin the growth achieved through real and changing circumstances. I would recommend Matrix as a supportive partner adding value.”
Brian Wright, chairman, Higher Nature
"The team at Matrix have impressed us from day one. Working with us on helping to form our management buy-out opportunity, supporting us through the actual legal process itself, and then sitting alongside us on our board adding significant value and insight into both our operational and strategic decision making, Matrix have shown themselves to be true partners in our organisation. We have built a strong relationship with Matrix and we look forward to this continuing over the next few years.”
Dave Forrester, managing director, VSI
"Matrix has been an investor in Youngman for nearly 2 years following our management buy in/buy out. During this time through its non executive involvement they have been highly supportive of a significant capital investment programme and development into new sectors of business. Their breadth of commercial experience means that their input into strategic and financial planning is invaluable. I would highly recommend Matrix to any management team looking for challenging support for the long term benefit of their Company."
Paul Bentley, managing director, Youngman Group
“Matrix was always available and approachable through a difficult acquisition and was innovative in their approach to successfully complete the transaction. Post completion, we have found Matrix always proactive in putting forward ideas to help the growth and development of the business and have always worked well with the management team. Matrix have been more than just an investor, they have truly added value as a partner in the success of the business.”
Martin Longden, managing director, Storm Aviation
“Our relationship with Matrix has been strong from day 1 – a significant level of strategic input as well as the obvious finance – has allowed the company to grow. Management has also been nurtured during this relationship, allowing us to push forward with our vision.”
Christina Vaughan, founder, ImageSource
“Although Apollo had a choice of venture capitalists to partner with, it chose Matrix because of its strong appeal in personality and market knowledge. Matrix has now been an investor in our business for over 3 years. During this time, they have helped guide us from managers to shareholders. Also their input into our strategic and financial planning remains invaluable. I would recommend Matrix to any management team looking for challenging support for the long-term benefit of their company.”
Martin Bettridge, managing director, Apollo Lifts
