BVCA changes its name to UK Private Capital
The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) has now formally adopted a new name, UK Private Capital, following approval by members at its Annual General Meeting.
The change reflects the growth and evolution of the UK’s private capital industry, which spans private equity, venture capital and private credit and plays an increasingly significant role in backing UK businesses, innovation and employment.
Private equity and venture capital backs 13,000 companies across the UK generating 7% of total GDP. These firms employ 2.5 million people from early-stage, venture-backed firms to established businesses investing for long-term growth across every region and sector of the economy.
“UK Private Capital” is a clear description of the community of 600 firms which the association represents. It aligns with how the market already talks about itself, and it supports the association’s leadership role in public policy discourse, research, and political engagement.
It reflects the next stage of the association’s existing Strategy 2030 which reinforces the association as the home of all parts of the private capital community: Private equity, venture capital and private credit.
UK Private Capital’s new name will support the association’s efforts to build on that approach in framing the debate about the industry, by:
- Demonstrating the industry’s important role in the real economy: giving VC, PE and private credit a stronger voice in policy debates about their ‘licence to operate’ and the policies influencing where and in what the industry invests across the UK.
- Setting out the ambition of the industry: making clear the expectation that it will continue to grow as part of the investment landscape and in its influence on the future shape of the economy.
- Underlining the international connectivity of the asset class; through adoption of a name which resonates in other countries and gives the UK industry a clearer role with international LP investors.
"The private capital industry has changed significantly since the association was founded more than forty years ago. 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.
“Currently almost 13,000 companies, employing more than 2.5 million people, are backed by private equity and venture capital investment in the UK. As the sector has grown and matured, the old name has become harder to explain and often requires clarification with investors, media and policymakers. The new name removes that ambiguity and gives the association a clearer foundation from which to advocate for the vital importance of private capital investment for growth in the UK.”
“We have consulted widely across Private Equity, Venture Capital and Private Credit members of the association and the investors and advisers to the industry. The board recommended 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 change is a rename rather than a rebrand. The association’s mission, governance, strategy and visual identity will remain in place, and members will experience continuity in representation, services and engagement.
The new name also aligns with the association's Strategy 2030, which positions UK Private Capital as the home of the full private capital community, delivering tailored and credible propositions for private equity, venture capital and private credit.
Notes to Editors:
For further information, please contact:
UK Private Capital Press Office
Email: [email protected]
About UK Private Capital
UK Private Capital is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity (PE), venture capital (VC) and private credit ecosystem in the UK. With a membership of 600 firms, we represent UK-based private capital firms, as well as their professional advisers and a large base of UK and global investors. The private equity, venture capital and private credit industry has a vital role to play in driving national and regional growth. Currently over 13,000 companies, employing more than 2.5 million people, are backed by private capital investment in the UK.
