Reading drone security firm Operational Solutions Limited gains further BGF £3.5m investment

By Stephen Emerson

1 December 2023

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Investment group BGF has invested a further £3.5 million into counter-drone technologies business Operational Solutions Limited.

The investment by the London-headquartered firm takes the total amount invested to £11.5 million and will help the Reading outfit to continue with research and development, aid its expansion into international airports, and continue to grow in the sports and events market.

Operational Solutions Limited (OSL) counts Heathrow Airport and Wembley Stadium amongst its client base.

Mark Legh-Smith, CEO of OSL, said: “2023 has seen yet another exciting period of growth for OSL. From expanding our team and our technical capabilities, to entering new and exciting markets, the solutions we can offer to organisations is garnering interest and demand from all around the world.

“As we continue to expand into new markets with unique and complex challenges, we remain committed to continual technological innovation. We’re excited to take this next step in our growth journey alongside BGF.”

Over the course of the last 12 months, OSL has recruited a new COO, grown the team from 50 to 110 members of staff, increased revenue by 50% on the previous financial year, and began work to enhance fan safety at the home of English football, Wembley Stadium, through its drone alert service DAS™.

Liam Pursall, Investor at BGF, said: “OSL’s growth and technological development since our initial investment in 2021 has been very impressive. As the drone industry continues to gather pace, the need for comprehensive counter-drone capabilities and accurate situational awareness is growing across multiple end markets. Thanks to its leading technologies and expertise, OSL is at the forefront of this exciting new sector and its technology is key to unlocking the much anticipated Drone Revolution.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Mark and the rest of the OSL team and supporting the business as it continues to scale.”

In the UK, BGF is backed by Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest and Standard Chartered.

By Stephen Emerson

Stephen Emerson is the Managing Editor of The Business Magazine and is responsible for the publication's print publications and online properties including the newly launched Biz News websites in Hampshire and Dorset.

Stephen has been a journalist for 20 years and has worked at local, regional and national publications and led a team which made The Scotsman website one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK with over eight million monthly users.

He has a keen interest in technology, property and corporate finance and telling the stories of the people behind the successful firms in these sectors.