Scaling Up with Purpose: Insights from Laura Keir, CEO of Protein Works In our latest Entrepreneur Lab blog, Laura Keir, CEO of Protein Works reveals how culture, customer focus, and operational excellence have powered one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports nutrition brands From stepping into the CEO role in January 2024 to overseeing a vertically integrated business model and prioritising feedback at every level, Laura shares actionable strategies for leaders aiming to scale with intent. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eF6uNvQA
YFM Equity Partners
Investment Management
Leeds, England 13,714 followers
Funding Ambitious Businesses
About us
YFM Equity Partners are specialist, independently owned, private equity investors. We look to unlock the growth potential of businesses by investing £3m - £15m in: Growth Capital opportunities - helping commercially proven businesses scale up; and Buyout Capital opportunities - facilitating management buyouts and equity release situations YFM Equity Partners has been investing in small business since 1982 through our regional office network, we are dedicated to working alongside management teams to create transformational growth and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in and a positive economic impact for the communities in which we work. We have over £750 million in assets under management, which include venture capital trusts and private equity funds. YFM Equity Partners conducts its investment business through its subsidiary YFM Private Equity Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 122120).
- Website
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http://yfmep.com
External link for YFM Equity Partners
- Industry
- Investment Management
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Leeds, England
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 1982
- Specialties
- Private Equity
Locations
Employees at YFM Equity Partners
Updates
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New Deal News! We’re thrilled to back MurphyCobb & Associates (MCA) as they enter an exciting new phase of growth. MCA is reshaping how the world’s biggest brands think about advertising production blending strategic advisory, operational excellence, and innovative technology to help clients deliver impactful campaigns more efficiently and sustainably. With YFM’s support, MCA will accelerate its global expansion, enhance its market-leading Control Room platform, and continue setting the standard for data-driven, low-carbon marketing production. Patrick Murphy and the MCA team have built a standout business with global impact, and we’re excited to be part of their next chapter. Read the full story: 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8d2Zq-E #YFMEquityPartners #GrowthCapital #PrivateEquity #MarketingTech #Advertising #sustainableMarketing Adam Hart Callum Long
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“Smart entrepreneurs demand more than just money.” In the latest episode from The Entrepreneur Lab’s Private Equity Series, we sit down with our Managing Partner, Jamie Roberts to explore what really makes a successful partnership between founders and private equity. "Every founder who comes to us wants money. That’s expected. But the smartest ones demand more — strategic support, guidance, and experience." This short video is just a snapshot of a much bigger conversation. Whether you're a founder exploring private equity or simply want to understand how it works, this series is here to demystify PE for UK entrepreneurs and break down the barriers to growth. Watch the video and read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/etX8W49f #TheEntrepreneurLab #PrivateEquity #SmallBusinessUK #ScalingUp #FounderSupport #GrowthCapital #Entrepreneurs #PEExplained #StartupSupport
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Launching The Entrepreneur Lab - a new space for ambitious UK entrepreneurs Scaling a business in the UK is tough. That’s why we’ve created The Entrepreneur Lab, a new content platform from YFM designed to give founders and advisors the insights, experiences, and practical advice they need to go further, faster. What you’ll get from The Lab: 🔹Real founder stories – honest reflections on the highs, lows and lessons learned on the scale-up journey 🔹Expert insights – practical guidance from across the YFM network to help you make better decisions 🔹Demystifying private equity – clear, actionable content for founders and advisors Whether you’re growing your first business or leading an established scale-up, The Entrepreneur Lab is built to help you connect, learn and move forward with confidence. Explore The Entrepreneur Lab: https://lnkd.in/etYwpmVK Explore the video series: 🔹The Entrepreneur Experience Series, candid interviews with like-minded founders - https://lnkd.in/eiXmuDff 🔹The Private Equity Series, bite-sized content to break down PE - https://lnkd.in/eiXmuDff We hope this becomes a go-to resource for the UK’s most ambitious entrepreneurs. thank you to our contributors: Chris Green Xapien, Tom Dunlop Summize, Tasmin Sibbald Vypr, Matthew Scullion Matillion, Jamie Roberts YFM Equity Partners #Entrepreneurship #ScaleUps #PrivateEquity #Founders #TheEntrepreneurLab #YFM
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New Deal News We’re delighted to announce the $4.7m growth capital investment in DynaRisk, a cyber risk management platform transforming how the insurance industry monitors and reduces cyber threats. The funding will support international expansion across EMEA, North America and APAC, as well as ongoing product innovation to meet growing demand for scalable, data-driven cyber insurance solutions. As the threat landscape evolves, tools like DynaRisk’s are critical to protecting consumers and SMEs at scale. Read more: 👉 https://lnkd.in/etc-qz9Q #CyberSecurity #Insurtech #GrowthCapital #YFMgrowth #CyberInsurance Matt Gordon-Smith Alexander Neale
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It was great to see Richard Fuller visiting our portfolio company SOS Leak Detection Ltd last week, getting a first-hand look at the technology that's helping tackle over 15,000 escape-of-water incidents across the UK. The visit – organised by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) – showcased SOS’s award-winning, non-invasive leak detection services and the impressive growth the team has achieved from their base in Wyboston, North Bedfordshire. With support from YFM, SOS is scaling nationally, exploring AI and new technology, and expanding into new sectors – all while supporting local jobs and helping customers reduce water waste. 👏 Huge thanks to Richard Fuller MP and BVCA for spotlighting the power of innovation and private capital in action. #YFM #PortfolioInFocus #PrivateCapital #WaterConservation #TechForGood #BVCA #EastOfEngland #ScaleUp #LeakDetection #MPVisit James Savage
Private capital growing businesses in the East of England. “This is a great example of how private capital can support ambitious companies, create skilled jobs, and drive economic progress not just here in the East of England, but nationwide." Established in 2011, SOS Leak Detection Ltd is a leading provider of non-destructive water leak detection and remedial services, in both residential and commercial buildings. Over the past three years, it has resolved more than 15,000 escape-of-water incidents, earning a reputation for excellence in both domestic and commercial settings. Last week, SOS welcomed the Shadow Treasury Minister, Richard Fuller MP, to their headquarters in his constituency of North Bedfordshire. The MP had the opportunity to meet the team and see the methods SOS uses to locate, classify and resolve leaks efficiently. He also discussed the company’s ambitious growth plans with CEO Paul Bateman. He heard how SOS’s growth had been significantly accelerated through a management buyout backed by BVCA member YFM Equity Partners in 2022. This strategic investment has provided financial and directional support to help the company take full advantage of its strong market potential and innovative technologies. Following the visit, Richard Fuller MP said: "It was a pleasure to visit SOS Leak Detection Ltd and see first-hand the impressive innovation and dedication driving this North Bedfordshire business. Their award-winning technology and commitment to non-invasive, effective leak detection are making a real difference to homes and businesses across the UK. I was particularly encouraged to learn how investment from YFM Equity Partners has helped scale their operations and accelerate growth.” These visits took place through the BVCA’s MP Connect programme, which arranges visits for MPs with member-backed businesses to demonstrate the value of private capital. Each visit showcases the innovation, job creation, growth and positive impact of private capital-backed businesses on their region and constituents. 📊 BVCA research shows that 194,000 jobs in the East of England are in businesses backed by #privateequity and #venturecapital. These businesses generated £13 billion in GDP in this region as of 2025. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e8Zs-Meu
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Just released: YFM’s 2024 Responsible Investment Report At YFM, we believe that creating long-term value means being responsible investors – not just in words and numbers, but in action. Our latest Responsible Investment Report shares how we’re integrating sustainability into every stage of our investment cycle and portfolio support. Some key progress highlights from this year’s report: ✅ 100% of our portfolio companies now complete our ESG assessment annually ✅ We found that over 1,600 jobs have been created across the portfolio during YFM’s hold period ✅ 48% of the Boards we support have at least one female member ✅ 1 in 3 of our portfolio companies are now measuring their carbon emissions ✅ The number of companies with cybersecurity accreditations has nearly doubled in the past 2 years We’re proud of the progress - and even prouder of the portfolio companies driving real change. There's still more to do, but we're committed to building better businesses, responsibly. 📖 Read the full report and our reflections here 👉https://lnkd.in/e8PySx6g #ResponsibleInvestment #ESG #PrivateEquity #Impact #YFM #SustainableGrowth #PortfolioWithPurpose Finlay Taylor
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We are proud to continue supporting Panintelligence, together with Comhar Capital, Shackleton and Martin Port of Port Growth Partners, with a £1 million follow-on investment as the business enters an exciting new chapter of growth. The funding will support the expansion into Agentic AI, continued investment in talent, and the appointment of Charlotte Bailey as CEO. Charlotte has been a driving force within the business for over six years, and we’re delighted to see her take the helm as Panintelligence scales its impact in embedded analytics. We’re also pleased to welcome Martin Port to the board as a Non-Executive Director — bringing invaluable experience to support the team’s ambitious next phase. From its new HQ in Leeds city centre, the team is building powerful, secure and scalable tools that help organisations make smarter, faster decisions — and we’re excited to be part of what comes next. 🔗 Read the full story: hhttps://lnkd.in/e7Ab2vB7
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A huge congratulations to our portfolio company Think Hire and the team on being named one of the UK’s fastest-growing private companies in this year’s The Sunday Times 100 – for the second year running! From pioneering clean energy solutions on construction sites to delivering real sustainability impact across the sector, the Think Hire team continues to achieve impressive growth with purpose. Great to see their work – and ambition – recognised at a national level. Daniel Freed #SundayTimes100 #ThinkHire #YFMEquityPartners #SustainableGrowth #PortfolioSuccess #CleanEnergy #ConstructionInnovation
It’s official. We’re back in The Sunday Times 100! For the second year running, Think Hire has been named in The Sunday Times 100, celebrating Britain’s fastest-growing private companies. This back-to-back recognition in both the 2024 and 2025 editions reflects not just rapid growth but the continued momentum of a business built on innovation, sustainability, and impact. The pace of growth required to secure a place on the league table is high this year, so we are particularly proud of our achievements in what remain challenging trading conditions. As the UK’s leading off-grid Energy-as-a-Service provider, Think Hire, a division of Think Energy Group, is redefining how customers across infrastructure, construction, and beyond access sustainable energy. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the drive of our brilliant team, the trust of our customers, and the strength of our partnerships. Thank you all for being part of the journey. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re only just getting started. Discover the full Sunday Times 100 list here: https://lnkd.in/e_ufZH-U #SundayTimes100
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Billions in Innovation – and proud to be part of it. The British Smaller Companies VCTs, managed by YFM Equity Partners, were recently highlighted in Synaptic article exploring the untold power of the UK’s tax-efficient investment schemes. Front and centre? Our recent investment in StormHarvester – a Belfast-based business using AI to reduce flooding and prevent sewage discharges across Europe. 🚰🌍 Tax-efficient doesn’t mean small-scale. VCTs are helping power the UK’s most ambitious, impactful innovations — and we’re backing founders tackling big, messy, real-world problems. 📰 Worth a read:https://lnkd.in/e7AnYJyz.