News
LDC expands its portfolio team
19 May 2022
Leading mid-market private equity firm LDC has expanded its portfolio team with two senior appointments to further enhance the support it provides for its nationwide portfolio of fast-growing medium sized firms.
LDC’s portfolio team works alongside the management teams of its portfolio businesses. It provides them with advice and expertise to support them to grow their businesses, navigate challenges and unlock new opportunities.
Tracy Bownes joins the team as a Partner. With a passion for helping businesses to achieve commercial excellence, Tracy brings over 20 years’ experience supporting management teams across a wide range of sectors to grow their businesses. Before LDC, Tracy was Chief Commercial Officer at Lumon, a leading international payments business, where she led revenue generation, rebranding and the integration of six businesses as part of a successful buy and build programme.
In addition, LDC Partner Rob Schofield will be moving into the portfolio team after 11 years as a successful investor at LDC. He will provide additional support for LDC’s portfolio across the Midlands. Since joining the private equity firm, Rob has played an integral role in some of the firm’s most successful partnerships including The NEC Group, TPN and Panther Logistics. Alongside his new position in the portfolio team, he will remain as a non-executive director on the boards of businesses including Bramble Foods, Zip World and ELE Advanced Technologies, and he will also continue his role as a member of LDC’s Investment Committee.
The announcement builds on LDC’s pledge to deepen its support for mid-market businesses across the country. The private equity firm recently committed to back at least 100 new UK mid-market companies over the next five years.
Commenting on the appointments, Toby Rougier, Chief Executive of LDC, said: “Following the impact of the pandemic, British businesses are having to navigate record levels of inflation, increased competition for talent and unprecedented supply chain complications. Having helped mid-market companies survive and thrive during the ups and downs of the last 40 years, we know how important it is for businesses to be adaptable and resilient. It’s why we want to do all we can to ensure our portfolio management teams have the additional support they need to deliver on their plans.”
Tracy and Rob add to a diverse mix of skills and experience in our existing portfolio team, making sure we’re even better equipped to support our portfolio company management teams over the coming years.”
Tracy Bownes, Partner at LDC, added: “LDC is well-known for its partnership-led approach and support for management teams to grow bigger and better businesses. I’m excited to join during this critical moment for businesses across the country and am looking forward to contributing to the success of LDC’s portfolio.”
Rob Schofield, Partner at LDC, commented: “For more than a decade, I’ve seen the positive impact that LDC can have on a business by working alongside its management team. This role gives me more time to do just that, focusing on supporting management teams to deliver their plans.”
