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Cambridge, 09 February 2022: Foresight Group (“Foresight”), a leading private equity and infrastructure investment manager, is pleased to announce a £4.5m investment in SafeGuard Glazing Supplies (“SafeGuard” or the “Company”), a specialist manufacturer and installer of glazing products, based in Peterborough.

SafeGuard has developed into a leading glass manufacturer providing expert, processing solutions to commercial and residential customers. Led by Nick Welsh, whose father founded the Company in 1995, SafeGuard offers high quality, value-added products to customers of all sizes across the UK.

The Company employs close to 100 people at its bespoke 28,000 sq. ft. facility in Peterborough. With its dedication to exceptional customer service, SafeGuard is well placed to respond to the continued growth in demand for top quality and environmentally friendly construction materials.

Foresight’s investment will support the Company in its next phase of growth. Investment is planned to extend the site and to invest in additional capital equipment - as well as expanding and developing the skilled workforce to meet the high customer demand for SafeGuard’s products.

This is another successful investment from Foresight’s East of England Fund which is an evergreen pool of patient capital supporting SMEs in the East of England and beyond. Foresight’s team of four executives is based in Cambridge, headed by Matt McLoughlin, and they continue to actively search for new investment opportunities throughout the region.

Foresight is one of the most active investors in SMEs in the UK, with flexible capital to fund companies in any sector through a wide range of transactions and growth stages. With seven offices across the UK, the award-winning team work closely with entrepreneurs and management teams, an approach that has delivered strong returns to investors for over 35 years.

Commenting on the investment, Nick Welsh, Managing Director of SafeGuard, said: “The whole team at Safeguard is delighted to be working alongside Foresight during this exciting period for the business which will see the construction of an extension to our Manor Drive site, significant investment in state-of-the-art machinery as well as the creation of skilled jobs in the area.”

Matt McLoughlin, Senior Investment Manager at Foresight, added: “It has been a pleasure getting to know Nick and the team at SafeGuard. The Company has huge potential and I am looking forward to supporting them in their next phase of growth. This deal involved many professional advisors from the Peterborough area and we look forward to working with the local community as the Company makes progress over the coming years.”

Councillor Alison Whelan, Chair of the Cambridgeshire Pension Fund, added: “The investment into SafeGuard is another exciting opportunity for the Foresight East of England Fund to support a well-established business at the heart of the region. SafeGuard has a great reputation for its quality products and exceptional customer service and I am delighted that the fund has invested in another leading local business.”