BGF has announced a multi-million-pound investment in CWC Group, a family-owned care provider based in Northern Ireland. This deal marks the first time BGF has invested in a female-led company since pledging at least £300 million to the Invest in Women Taskforce’s funding pool, aimed at backing scaling female-powered businesses over the next five years.
CWC Group was first established in 1983 by sisters-in-law Monica Byrne and Imelda McGrady. The company delivers domiciliary, residential nursing, and disability care across seven locations in Northern Ireland. Still a family-run operation, the business is now led by Monica’s daughters, Chief Executive Aisling Byrne and Chief Learning & Development Officer Shauna Byrne.
Chris Nixon, Investor at BGF, said: “CWC Group has an exceptional heritage of providing high-quality care services to those in need. At a time when there is a shortage of quality facilities to meet demand in Northern Ireland, we’re looking forward to working with Aisling, Shauna, and the wider team, to expand their care home portfolio and continue to provide a vital service to communities across the province.”
The fresh injection of capital will help CWC Group acquire new sites and expand its specialist care services. The company has also appointed two new figures to its board, Paula Kane as Non-Executive Chair and David Jones as Non-Executive Director. Kane was previously Founder and CEO of Ashdale Care Ireland, while Jones is a former Deloitte UK healthcare partner.
Aisling Byrne, Chief Executive of CWC Group, described the investment as a key step in the company’s growth: “This investment from BGF comes at an exciting time for CWC Group, and will enable us to take the next steps towards developing our care services for our service users and geographical footprint in Northern Ireland. We have a solid pipeline of new specialist care homes that will enable us to further support the NI Trusts with high-quality, dedicated care facilities for adults with specialist care needs.”
“BGF’s investment, alongside the experience and know-how of our new Board members, will support the advancement of our ambitions, and retain exceptional levels of care and dedication to our service users that are at the very heart of our core values.”
Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF, commented: “CWC Group has been built on deep expertise and a profound commitment to care. What stands out is not just the strength of its services, but the calibre and vision of its leadership. We’re proud for this to be our first investment, since making our £300 million commitment to female-powered businesses.
“As a founding member of the Invest in Women Taskforce, we have reaffirmed our determination to help shape a more balanced and representative entrepreneurial economy — one that reflects the full spectrum of talent across the UK.”
This pledge to back female-led businesses forms part of BGF’s broader strategy to invest £3 billion into high-potential companies across the UK over the next five years.
With the new funding and leadership support, CWC Group aims to build on its long-standing commitment to providing high-quality, specialist care services, while expanding its reach to meet growing demand across Northern Ireland.
