BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor, has made a multi-million-pound investment in CWC Group, a family-owned specialist care provider based in Co Down.
The investment is the first BGF has made into a female-powered business since it committed at least £300 million to the Invest in Women Taskforce’s funding pot to support scaling female-powered businesses over the next five years.
Picture L-R: Aisling Byrne, Chief Executive, Paula Kane, Non-Executive Chair, Shauna Byrne, Chief Learning and Development Officer.
First founded in 1983 by sisters-in-law, Monica Byrne and Imelda McGrady, CWC Group is a healthcare company providing high quality domiciliary, residential nursing and disability care across seven locations throughout Northern Ireland. Based in Co Down, the business continues to be family-run, now operated by Monica’s daughters, Chief Executive, Aisling Byrne, and Chief Learning and Development Officer, Shauna Byrne.
The investment from BGF will support CWC Group’s acquisition of new sites and develop its service offering in specialist care. The company has also welcomed to the Board Paula Kane as Non-Executive Chair and David Jones as Non-Executive Director to provide further expertise as the company scales. Paula was previously founder and CEO of Ashdale Care Ireland and David is an ex-Deloitte UK healthcare partner.
“This investment from BGF comes at an exciting time for CWC Group and will enable us to take the next steps towards developing our care services for our service users and geographical footprint in Northern Ireland. We have a solid pipeline of new specialist care homes that will enable us to further support the NI Trusts with high quality, dedicated care facilities for adults with specialist care needs.”
“The investment from BGF alongside the experience and knowhow of our new Board members will support the advancement of our ambitions and retain exceptional levels of care and dedication to our service users that are at the very heart of our core values.”
Aisling Byrne, Chief Executive of CWC Group
The pledge to invest in female-led businesses forms part of BGF’s overall commitment to invest £3bn in high-potential businesses across the UK over the next five years.
“CWC Group has an exceptional heritage of providing high quality care services to those in need. At a time when there is a shortage of quality facilities to meet demand in NI, we’re looking forward to working with Aisling, Shauna and the wider team to expand their care home portfolio and continue to provide a vital service to communities across the province.”
Chris Nixon, Investor at BGF
BGF is one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland, backing entrepreneurs and innovators, typically providing initial investments of between £3 and £30 million in high potential businesses. BGF is the most active investor in female-led scale ups for the past five years and has invested £500 million in these types of business since 2011.
“CWC Group has been built on deep expertise and a profound commitment to care. What stands out is not just the strength of its services, but the calibre and vision of its leadership. We’re proud for this to be our first investment since making our £300 million commitment to female-powered businesses. As a founding member of the Invest in Women Taskforce, we have reaffirmed our determination to help shape a more balanced and representative entrepreneurial economy—one that reflects the full spectrum of talent across the UK.”
Andy Gregory, CEO, BGF
“The first deployment by BGF from the Invest in Women Taskforce funding pool is a huge moment. We set out to create a generational shift in how capital is allocated, and the shift is starting to happen. BGF has identified in CWC Group a purpose-led business in its provision of care, but also one led by incredible women for four decades to become the Ireland-wide network it is today. These types of female-run businesses are right under the noses of investors and are being overlooked. But this is just the start. The trend has been declining for so many years that we need much more action and much more leadership from institutions to join us in doing the same – and reap the benefits.”
Debbie Wosskow, Co-Chair of the Invest in Women Taskforce
“Our recent data found that all-female founded businesses in Northern Ireland received just 2% of the nation’s total equity funding in 2024, compared to 78% for all-male teams. The Invest in Women Taskforce has been working hard to change this trend and it’s fantastic to see the capital starting to be deployed into such brilliant businesses across the UK. More investments, like this from BGF, are critically needed to support economic growth.”
Hannah Bernard, Co-Chair of the Invest in Women Taskforce
About BGF
BGF was set up in 2011 and has invested £4.5 billion in over 560 companies, making it the most active investor in the UK and Ireland. BGF is a minority, non-controlling equity partner with a patient outlook on investments, based on shared long-term goals with the management teams it backs. BGF invests in growing businesses through its network of 15 offices.
See: www.bgf.co.uk.