Archus receives £9 million investment from BGF to fuel future growth

Published by

Peter Davison

The Archus team

Healthcare infrastructure specialist Archus has received a £9 million investment boost from growth capital investors BGF.

Archus, which provides a wide range of strategic and infrastructure consultancy and analytics services to health and social care organisations, says the funding will drive continued growth in the UK and Ireland, as well as supporting plans to expand internationally.

Following a successful launch in Ireland last year, the firm has already begun mobilisation in the Canadian and Australian markets, aligning well with the location of BGF’s established network, BGF Canada and BGF Australia.

BGF’s investment will enable Archus to grow its existing management team, with additional senior hires planned to aid growth as well as enabling ongoing innovation and expansion of the firm’s service offerings.

In addition to the investment, Karen Thomas-Bland will be joining Archus as non-executive chair.

With over 25 years’ experience leading enterprise-wide business transformations, Karen has proven expertise in creating sustainable, long term business strategies and will support Archus as it continues to expand into new territories.

Richard Darch, Group CEO and founder director said: “Since our launch in 2017, Archus has grown significantly within the UK, supporting our wide range of healthcare partners navigate ever changing and complex situations.

"As we address the global challenge of creating accessible and appropriate health care systems for future generations, BGF’s investment will unlock opportunities for us to impart our expertise into new territories, whilst continuing our work in the UK and Ireland.

“In reaching this significant milestone for Archus I’d like to thank the team at FRP Corporate Finance for their representation of Archus shareholders throughout this process and to the wider team of advisors who have made the investment possible.”

Shane Dineen, managing director of Archus in the UK & Ireland and founder director said: “This is an exciting time for Archus as we look to accelerate our growth as specialist healthcare consultants in the UK and internationally.

"BGF was a natural partner for us given an alignment of values, a proven track record of supporting people-based businesses and a flexible approach to investment.

“I would like to thank our clients, our partners and our people for their hard work and commitment over the last six years. Their efforts have contributed both to the success of our business and most importantly, to improving the health outcomes of the communities we serve.

"Our team are very much looking forward to working with BGF as we continue our work to positively shape the future of healthcare.”

Daniel Tapson, investor at BGF who will join the board, said: “Archus’ expertise and credibility across all aspects of healthcare infrastructure is impressive and presents an exciting growth opportunity.

"We’re looking forward to partnering with Archus and its excellent management team on the next phase of their growth journey.”

Karen Thomas-Bland, non exec chair of Archus, said: "Archus has all the ingredients I look for in joining a business, a fantastic management team, exciting growth strategy and a strong culture and purpose.

"Archus’s ability to work across healthcare infrastructure from strategy to implementation and deliver an exceptional client experience positions the business really well for continued growth. I am super excited to be part of the growth journey moving forward".

BGF was advised by Ashfords and PKF Francis Clark

Archus was advised by FRP (corporate finance), Grant Thornton (tax) and Addleshaw Goddard (legal).

Peter Davison

Peter Davison is deputy editor of The Business Magazine. He has spent his life in journalism – doing work experience in newsrooms in and around Bristol while still at school, and landing his first job on a local newspaper aged 19. By 28 he was the youngest newspaper editor in the country. An early advocate of online news, he spent the first years of the 2000s telling his bosses that the internet posed both the biggest opportunity and greatest threat to the newspaper industry and the art of journalism. He was right on both counts. Since 2006 he has enjoyed a career as a freelance journalist. He lives in rural Wiltshire with one wife, two children, and three cats.