• Swindon & Wiltshire Support
• Thursday March 20 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

South West SME investment fund doubles to £100 million

An evergreen fund dedicated to investing into growing companies throughout the South West has doubled in size, following a cash injection from Avon Pension Fund.

FTSE 250 listed private equity and infrastructure investment manager Foresight’s South West Fund was launched in November with a £50 million investment from Devon Pension Fund.

A further investment from Avon Pension Fund announced today (Thursday) brings the fund total to £100 million.

The fund will help growing companies across the region to achieve their business ambitions, support the local economy, and deliver positive social outcomes by creating high-quality, local jobs.

It will invest into a broad range of sectors, across the full range of transaction types including growth capital, buy-outs and equity release.

The fund is designed to be evergreen, providing a permanent pool of capital around which SMEs can make long term plans.

The Fund is flexible and will support the business community in South West England for the long term, tailoring investments to meet the needs and plans of each company.

Matt Smith, partner at Foresight Group (pictured) said: “We are delighted to announce we’ve reached our target in the second close of the South West Fund with support from both Devon Pension Fund and Avon Pension Fund.

“The additional investment from the Avon Pension Fund will allow us to invest in more ambitious growing companies across the South West.”

Councillor Paul Crossley, chair of the Avon Pension Fund Committee, said: “There is a demand for funding for SMEs, and investment is crucial to ensure local businesses can reach their full potential.

“We’re very pleased to support this fund with a £50 million commitment which is Avon Pension Fund’s latest local impact initiative, following our recent successful investments into renewable energy and affordable housing in the South West.

“We see great potential in the businesses located across the region and we believe this Fund will support the creation of high-quality, local jobs and positively impact the local economy.”

Avon pension Fund administers the Local Government Pension Scheme for more than 440 employers and over 113,000 members in the former Avon area.