Fast-growing cloud infrastructure firm Skyscape Cloud Services has won a prestigious award in an annual celebration of excellence in private equity and venture capital.
Corsham-based Skyscape, backed by Business Growth Fund (BGF), topped the Venture or Growth Company Team category at last week’s British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) South West Management Team Awards 2016. 
Skyscape Cloud Services was founded in 2011 to provide cloud infrastructure services solely to the UK public sector, with clients including the Cabinet Office, Home Office, HMRC and the Ministry of Defence.
It provides typical cost savings of more than 50% versus the traditional server models as the public sector continues to shift its IT infrastructure to the cloud.
The business has increased its headcount ten-fold over the past four years and since BGF’s investment in May 2014, has experienced rapid growth, increasing revenues from £3.7m in 2014 to £16.2m last year.
The award judges said: “Skyscape was founded in 2011 and in a short time has achieved an astonishing level of credibility and trust in its assured cloud solution, with some of the largest public sector organisations as clients. The judges admired the management team’s skill in taking a leading position in a market which had been dominated by very large, powerful competitors.”
The awards, now in their eighth year, are produced in association with accountants Grant Thornton.
They recognise and reward the achievements and success of businesses across the UK which are backed by private equity and venture capital funds.
The other regional winners were:
* Bristol-based Oasis Healthcare, a leading provider of NHS and private dental treatment throughout the UK and backed by Bridgepoint. It employs 5,500 people, including 1,600 dentists, across 360 sites. It won both the Large Company Team and Social Responsibility Team categories.
* Bath-based Independent Vetcare – the UK’s fastest-growing veterinary group with more than 200 practices and backed by Summit Partners – which won the Mid-Market Team award, and
* Chris Ormrod of Taunton-based frozen desserts firm Ministry of Cake, backed by LDC, who topped the CEO category.
Chair of the South West judging panel Paul Oldham, who is also regional director at Business Growth Fund, said: “The awards are unique in their celebration of companies backed by private equity and venture capital, and I am delighted to see such a unique set of winners for the South West this year.
“From vets and dentists, to IT providers and cake makers, the South West is home to an impressively diverse range of businesses, each one a leader in their field and all perfect examples of what ambitious, talented management teams can achieve with the right support.”
Grant Thornton regional head of corporate finance and awards judge Mark Naughton added: “It is a pleasure to be sponsoring these awards again. It is an honour to meet such a diverse range of successful businesses in our region, and great to be a part of celebrating the achievements of these private equity and venture capital-backed management teams. There was a high calibre of businesses nominated so this year’s panel had an extremely difficult task in deciding the winners.
“It has been extremely encouraging to hear such positive feedback from all the nominees about how supportive their investors have been during their respective journeys. The South West is establishing itself as a real entrepreneurial hotspot, nurturing a number of growing, ambitious businesses which are all helping contribute to a vibrant economy.
“Not only do these awards open doors to potential clients, they also strengthen business’ profiles in the wider corporate community. Congratulations not only to the winners but all those nominated.”
The awards were presented as part of the annual BVCA Wales South West Dinner at the Bath Assembly Rooms. The winners will now be entered into the national final to compete against other UK regions before the national winners are announced at the BVCA Gala Dinner on December 8 in London.
