BVCA rebrands as UK Private Capital to reflect growth of private credit

The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) has rebranded as UK Private Capital, reflecting the evolution of the market and private credit’s increasingly significant role in backing UK businesses.

The BVCA, which represents the UK private capital industry, said the new name better aligns with the 600 firms it represents and with how it now engages across all parts of the market, including private credit.

The rebrand is intended to give the UK private capital industry a clearer identity with global limited partner investors. It is also intended to give a stronger voice to venture capital, private equity and private credit, as well as to the policies shaping where and how the industry invests across the UK, the firm said.

“The private capital industry has changed significantly since the BVCA was founded more than forty years ago,” said Michael Moore, chief executive of the BVCA. “Our members now operate across a broad private capital landscape, backing growth, innovation and jobs across the UK. Adopting the name UK Private Capital gives us a clearer platform from which to set out who we represent and to engage more effectively.”

The switch to UK Private Capital marks the next stage of the BVCA’s Strategy 2030, the firm said.

Private equity and venture capital back 13,000 companies across the UK and generate seven per cent of GDP, the BVCA reported.

“We have consulted widely across private equity, venture capital and private credit members of the association and the investors and advisers to the industry,” said Matthew Sabben-Clare, chair of the BVCA. “The board recommends this change to members because it is clearer, better reflects the industry and builds a platform for the strategy of representing the scope and diversity of the industry.”

The name change is subject to final approval at the association’s annual general meeting this week.