Supporting local businesses, improving skills and attracting wider investment into the Loughborough constituency are central to Jane’s mission as an MP and she used the visit to meet with Jon Jorgensen, Chief Sales Officer, and members of the team based in the Loughborough office.
The visit was arranged by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), an industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. Access is backed by two prominent private equity investors, and the visit enabled Jane to learn how private equity-backed businesses are supported to grow and, in turn, secure jobs in the region and boost the local economy.
In June ‘22, Access announced additional significant strategic investment from Hg, a leading investor in European and transatlantic software and services businesses, and TA Associates (TA), a leading global private equity firm with an associated enterprise value of £9.2billion, making Access one of the largest UK-headquartered software providers.
Jon Jorgensen, explains more about Access and the Group’s association with Loughborough:
“Access has grown significantly since its incorporation in 1991, and has more than doubled in size, since 2020 driven by organic growth and strategic M&A. It’s with the dedicated support from experienced and knowledgeable investors that help us to realise our ambitions and drive our performance and growth plans.
“Since we opened our new headquarters in Loughborough two and half years ago, Access has increased its UK headcount by 74%, creating high value roles and long-term career opportunities for local people. Our future is here in the East Midlands, Loughborough is a fantastic location right next to one of the world’s leading universities.”
Creating local jobs and developing skills is a key focus for the Group. Early careers hiring is an important part of our commitment to have a high performing workforce. We have early career programs that run for Sales, Marketing, Product & Engineering and Employee Success (HR) and we hire a mix of apprentices and those who have recently graduated.”
This was Jane Hunt’s second visit to Access, having previously attended the official opening on November 21. Since then, the Group has increased its global workforce to 6,800 and currently supports 100,000 plus customers across commercial and non-profit sectors.
Jane Hunt MP commented:
“It has been fantastic to return to visit the team at Access and see first-hand the phenomenal success and growth over the last two years.
“As a member of the Business and Trade Select Committee, it is interesting to see how private equity investment and support works for Access. Their sustainable growth is a testament to the fantastic opportunity that private equity investment presents - from growing the workforce to driving revenue, and in the case of Access in particular, the acquisition opportunities that it brings, for even faster growth.
“With 'A Healthy Local Economy' being a part of my six-point plan for Loughborough, it is my ambition to attract more businesses like Access into the area that create high value jobs and career progression for local people. Today I have witnessed first-hand how private equity investments can help to grow economies such as Loughborough through fast-tracking expansion.
“It is also encouraging to see a local business stepping up to address important social issues such as digital exclusion, as well as prioritising hiring young people and early career development. As co-chair of the APPG on T Levels, I am also delighted to see the Group embracing this new innovative area of the curriculum.”
Continued support from private equity investment means that as Access grows, so too does its capacity to give back to its local community - the Access culture of giving back benefits charities in locations with a significant operation and many employees. Globally, Access donated £1.3 million to charities over the last financial year
In the East Midlands, The Access Foundation supports organisations to help address digital poverty and has provided multiple local grants, including more than £422,000 to Loughborough University towards scholarships for students from deprived backgrounds to support them through their computing courses.
In Nottingham, as the cost-of-living crisis has deepened this year, the Foundation has awarded £118,692 and provided refurbished laptops to Framework, Nottinghamshire’s leading provider of care services to vulnerable people. In Derbyshire, the Foundation awarded a £30,000 grant to Citizens Advice Mid-Mercia to fund a digital support programme for deaf people with assistive technology.
Michael Moore, Director General of the BVCA, said: “The BVCA are delighted to have facilitated a visit to The Access Group for Jane Hunt MP, who has been able to witness first-hand how this fantastic business can, and is, playing a leading role in providing business management software to small and mid-size organisations, enabling customers to become more productive and efficient.
“Supported by BVCA members, The Access Group is one of many examples of how private equity and venture capital are supporting businesses to invest and grow.”
Jonathan Boyes, Parter at Hg and Board member of Access said: “Access undoubtably represents a huge success story for British business and we've been proud to be a significant investor and supporter of this growth since 2018. Access is a perfect example of how the UK can be home to software businesses of scale, which are typically more commonly found in countries like the USA. We’re proud to be backing several large software businesses in the UK, all of which continue to grow significantly, and all provide opportunities for local economies across the country.”
Morgan Seigler, a Managing Director at TA and Board Member of Access, said:
” It has been a privilege to partner with the Access team and support the Group’s significant growth over the last eight years. As the business has expanded, Access has embraced its commitment to developing long-term career opportunities and addressing digital inequities in local communities. Through her visit, we believe MP Hunt will better understand how customers are benefiting from this critical software, and the enduring value Access brings to the region. TA is proud to continue supporting Access on its growth journey.”