News Keeping you up to date
6th July 2015

Satcom Global and AND Group poised for growth after $10m investment

Broadband Satellite Services Ltd (BSS), parent company of satellite communications provider Satcom Global and marine engineering firm AND Group, has received a $10m investment from UK based organisation, Business Growth Fund (BGF).

This significant investment will allow BSS to accelerate its long-term growth strategy, enabling expansion and development within the Mobile Satellite Services market, further strengthening Satcom Global’s position as a top tier distributor of services to maritime, offshore, aeronautical, media and aid customers across the globe.

Ian Robinson, CEO of BSS said: “At Satcom Global and AND Group we take pride in being one of the most innovative and customer oriented players in the Mobile Satellite Services sector. This investment will enable us to continue with this focus as we strengthen our world-class service offering to maintain our market leading position. BGF’s investment enables us to make the next step in fulfilling the long-term growth strategy of BSS, allowing us to address additional growth opportunities and partnerships across key geographies and specific market segments. We are very excited to be working with BGF and look forward to ongoing collaboration as we continue to grow the business.”

Satcom Global is a key distribution partner for satellite network providers Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya. In addition, the Group operates its own global infrastructure network and offers a strong proposition of value added services including 24/7 technical support, as well as expert engineering and installation services. The company also boasts an extensive portfolio of in-house developed solutions for service provisioning, data management and control, billing and reporting, and optimised voice and data communications. The investment from BGF will allow BSS to continue to develop a strong and varied service offering to its customers across a wide variety of industries and sectors around the world.

Matt Widdall, Investor at BGF said: “BSS has a strong position in a growing market. Ian has successfully brought together AND Group and Satcom Global and created a team with extensive technical and market knowledge valued by satellite network providers and customers alike, securing a strong industry reputation for the Group. We are delighted to be working with Ian and his team as they look to further expand and strengthen the business.”

This demonstration of confidence in BSS’ strategic plans follows a successful and exciting year for the company, which saw the Satcom Global brand expand into the Russian satellite communications market and increase market penetration across Australia with the launch of an additional sales office in Perth.

The Group was formed in 2012 following the management buyout of AND Group, led by CEO Ian Robinson and CFO Financial Director Bob Howes, and the subsequent acquisition of the Satcom Group, one of the world’s largest mobile satellite communications providers. Employing more than 200 people globally, the Group is headquartered in Newcastle, with offices in Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Phoenix, Brisbane, Perth, Athens and Moscow. 

About Satcom Global

Established in 2001, Satcom Global is one of the world’s largest mobile satellite communications providers. With offices across five continents and through progressive investments in infrastructure and technical resources, Satcom Global provides reliable satellite communications solutions for voice and data specific applications to users outside terrestrial networks.

www.satcomglobal.com 

About AND Group

Founded in 1974 in North Shields, United Kingdom, AND Group is an internationally recognised provider of electrical and engineering services to the marine and offshore sectors. AND Group provides specialist system design, consulting and installation services for navigation, alarm and monitoring, automation and communication systems.

www.and-group.net

About BGF:

BGF (Business Growth Fund) is the UK’s most active provider of growth capital to small and mid-sized businesses. BGF makes initial investments of between £2m and £10m and can provide additional funding to support further growth. The investment provided is typically in the form of equity in return for a minority equity stake and a seat on the board for a BGF director. BGF will provide long-term equity investment for companies with strong growth potential.

BGF is an independent company with capital of up to £2.5 billion and is backed by five of the UK’s main banking groups - Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS and Standard Chartered. BGF is managed autonomously with an independent management team.

www.bgf.co.uk 

« Back to news

Ian Robinson - BGF Investment
BGF’s investment enables us to make the next step in fulfilling the long-term growth strategy of BSS, allowing us to address additional growth opportunities and partnerships across key geographies and specific market segments"
Ian Robinson, CEO of BSS