We are pleased to be celebrating a successful year-long partnership with global healthcare business, the Helios Global Group.
We announced our investment into the medical communications and strategic consultancy firm back in January 2021 and have noted several key milestones with the business since the collaboration began.
Over the last twelve months, the Helios management team has implemented several initiatives for the company, including opening two new offices in the UK, diversifying its client base, and launching a US agency – all whilst continuing to keep its people, culture and values at the heart of the company.
To support its market-leading people focus, Helios has implemented several new initiatives and measures to ensure it attracts the best talent in the industry and provides them with opportunities to grow and develop within the business. Since NorthEdge’s investment, headcount has increased by 44% to over 160 people, with plans to further grow this over the coming year.
To allow the Cheshire-based company to further increase its presence in the North West, where 43% of the UK pharmaceutical turnover is generated, we supported Helios to widen its geographic footprint and access to more high-quality talent with the opening of its new central Manchester office in September 2021. The 2020 Sunday Times FastTrack 100 company also increased its presence in Oxfordshire by relocating its office closer to the city centre in April 2021.
We have also helped progress the company’s first transatlantic venture, which saw the launch of Apollo Medical Communications in Connecticut last year. The investment into the US division allows Helios to further capitalise on opportunities in the US pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, the largest global market, maintain high quality delivery for its existing US client base and tap into the local talent market.
The initial investment into Helios was led out of NorthEdge’s Head Office by Grant Berry, Phil Frame, Liam May, and Jordana Cropper. NorthEdge’s Managing Partner Grant Berry and Phil Frame joined the Board on completion of the deal.
Andrew Minnock, Managing Director of Helios, said: “It’s been a fantastic twelve months of growth at Helios. Both Grant and Phil have been brilliant additions to our board, helping us to grow our business and team globally over the last year. It’s such an exciting time for our business and the market we operate in. There are so many more opportunities to come and we are delighted to be working with NorthEdge as we embark on this journey together.”
Phil Frame, Director at NorthEdge, said: “At NorthEdge, we’re committed to helping leadership teams build strong and sustainable businesses. Since investing in Helios, we have seen the team prove their continued commitment to excellence, working closely with their colleagues and clients to deliver projects of huge global significance that improve patient outcomes, all whilst implementing strategically important initiatives – such as the launch of Apollo Medical Communications, its US agency.
“We’re thrilled that it’s been such a successful year, but this is just the start. There’s lots more to come, the market continues to grow, and as such we are looking forward to continuing to support the team to deliver even more success over the next 12 months.”
Watch the video to find out more, and why the Helios team think it is a great place to work:
The NorthEdge team has more than 150 years’ combined experience leading, structuring and growing lower-mid market private equity deals. We invest across four sectors, and have strong credentials in healthcare given our experience with several companies in the industry, including life sciences talent partner, Meet, specialist healthcare equipment manufacturer, Platinum Stairlifts, and developer and manufacturer of innovative pressure care products, Direct Healthcare Group – which was sold to European healthcare investor ArchiMed in 2019 delivering a 3x return to NorthEdge Fund I.