British Business Bank Completes £250m Investment with Schroders Capital

Deal News | Nov 14, 2024 | British Business Bank Investments Ltd

The British Business Bank has finalized a £250m investment in collaboration with Schroders Capital under the Long-Term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS) initiative. This investment is matched by £250m from Phoenix Group, creating a £500m investment vehicle aimed at pension funds and other institutional investors. Phoenix Group, the UK's largest long-term savings and retirement business, is participating through its new private markets joint venture with Schroders, Future Growth Capital. The UK's Financial Conduct Authority approved the launch of the Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), the first of its kind dedicated to UK venture capital, with Schroders Capital set to start investments before year-end. This vehicle will focus on late-stage UK technology and science companies, with 20% allocation to life sciences. This initiative builds on the British Business Bank's support for life sciences through its Life Sciences Investment Programme and Future Fund: Breakthrough programme, both of which were extended in the Autumn Budget.

Sectors

  • Private Equity & Venture Capital
  • Technology and Science
  • Pension Funds and Institutional Investment

Geography

  • United Kingdom – The British Business Bank and other participants are based in the UK, and the focus of the investment is on UK companies.

Industry

  • Private Equity & Venture Capital – The article involves major investments and creation of an investment vehicle, which are core activities in the private equity and venture capital sectors.
  • Technology and Science – The investment vehicle targets late-stage UK companies in technology and science, with a significant focus on life sciences.
  • Pension Funds and Institutional Investment – The investment structure is designed to be accessed by pension funds and other institutional investors.

Financials

  • £250m – Investment by British Business Bank in collaboration with Schroders Capital.
  • £250m – Matching investment by Phoenix Group.
  • £500m – Total size of the new investment vehicle.
  • 20% – Expected portion of the fund to be invested in life sciences.
  • $97.3bn – Assets under management by Schroders Capital.
  • £200m – British Business Bank's Life Sciences Investment Programme amount.
  • £425m – British Business Bank's Future Fund: Breakthrough programme amount.

Participants

NameRoleTypeDescription
British Business BankPE FirmCompanyA UK government-owned development bank making investments to support the economy.
Schroders CapitalInvestment Vehicle ManagerCompanyA $97.3bn specialist private markets business partnering to create the investment vehicle.
Phoenix GroupPension Investment ProviderCompanyThe UK's largest long-term savings and retirement business, contributing £250m to the investment vehicle.
Future Growth CapitalPrivate Markets Joint VentureCompanyA joint venture between Phoenix Group and Schroders for private market investments.
Financial Conduct AuthorityRegulatorGovernmentThe UK financial regulatory body that approved the launch of the LTAF.