About
About
We support enterprising managers realise their ambitions. We are open, collaborative and straightforward and, like the teams we support, work hard and act decisively.
Our approach
Our approach
Successful partnerships happen when we share the same goals.
We seek businesses where our interests are aligned with the management team we are backing and will invest up to £50 million to help execute their vision.
We have deep experience working and investing alongside founders and managers. That doesn’t mean we know everything there is to know, but growth businesses usually have more opportunities than bandwidth. That’s where we can help.
Where we help create value
Our years of experience have taught us to focus on six key areas when scaling businesses:
Strategic acquisitions
Whether to acquire customers, products or know-how, M&A is a proven method of growth and one we’ve used in over half of our investments
Strategic acquisitions
International growth
We invest in UK headquartered businesses with global horizons. We’ve helped businesses expand into Europe, the US, Asia and beyond, using a variety of approaches
International growth
Team & Talent
It all begins with the management team. We have experience in expanding management bandwidth and developing succession plans
Team & Talent
Product & Service innovation
At Primary we love businesses who have innovation in their DNA, and we continue to invest to stay ahead
Product & Service innovation
Data & Analytics
Generating reams of data is easy, but using it effectively is much harder. We work with businesses to identify key drivers to maximise customer opportunities
Data & Analytics
Digital transformation
Management information systems and IT platforms can unlock enormous value. We’ve experienced many digital transformation projects (and have the scars to prove it)
Digital transformation
How we support management teams
How we support management teams
What we bring to our partnerships is much more than just money: it’s decades of experience helping management teams shape strategy, channel their efforts and execute effectively. Whatever the challenge or opportunity, it’s likely we’ve seen it before.
What does this mean on a day-to-day basis? We won’t tell you how to run your own business but we can complement your skills with new ideas, a different way of thinking and a proven approach to growth.
Working together
Once we’ve invested, our team doesn’t just move on: it becomes an active part of the Board, providing continuity and full access to relevant support and experience within Primary as well as across our extensive network.
In-house
M&A engine
Providing additional capital is only a small part of how we help management teams pursue growth through M&A. We leverage our in-house origination team and our proprietary technology to assist in mapping the market, sourcing and screening acquisition targets.We’ll also roll our sleeves up to help make acquisitions happen. After all, it’s what we do.
Portfolio
peer network
We actively encourage our CEOs and senior management team members to make connections with their peers at other businesses in our portfolio, past and present. We have active peer-to-peer networks across the CEO, CFO and HR functions, with such networks continually growing as management teams benefit from the sharing of experiences and expertise.
Trusted adviser
network
We’ve built a network of best-in-class subject specialists and organisations who can help accelerate growth initiatives or provide additional resource when everything seems to be happening at once. Access to this network enables management teams to benefit from a deep well of experience across a range of specialisms.
about
“Primary have proven to be excellent partners for the Readypower business over the past few years. They fully committed to our strategic development plans from the outset and backed us in all our initiatives and objectives. We thank them for their support and wish them well for the future as we embark on the next stage of our growth.”
Russell Jack
CEO, Readypower
About
Investing responsibly
Responsible environmental, social and governance considerations have always been core to the activities of our own business, as well as those in which we invest.