BCW Group, the debt recovery firm that employs 300 people in Glasgow, has been acquired by a German media giant in a move that reflects strong international interest in the sector in the UK.
BCW has been part of the Gothia group since 2011, when it was acquired by Norway’s Herkules Capital private equity business for a reported £20m.
The Glasgow-based firm says it has grown into the UK’s “premier provider of credit management and debt recovery services”. These include tracing debtors and arranging payment plans and running outsourced credit management services for other firms, Details of the takeover of Gothia by Bertlesmann’s arvato outsourcing unit were not released.
However, the managing director of BCW Group, Bryan Mouat, said the Glasgow operation has a central role to play in the enlarged business. He said: “The Glasgow office remains a core part of arvato’s plans to double its European business, so there will be a positive impact across the team here. With the UK a key market for the group, Glasgow has a central role to play in the growth strategy over the coming years.”
The takeover of Gothia is the latest in a series of deals in Europe involving companies with debt-collection expertise. Buyers expect to capitalise on moves by banks to slim their balance sheets and the trend for firms in other sectors to out-source debt collection work.
On its website, BCW says the group and South Lanarkshire Council are making headway into reducing council tax arrears.
Earlier this month, American debt collection firm Encore Capital Group bought a majority stake in Cabot Credit Management for £128m from the JC Flowers private equity business to get into the UK market. The buyer expects UK banks to unload big portfolios of non-performing consumer debts in coming years.
Founded by Paul Fraser in 1983, BCW achieved rapid growth after diversifying into collecting consumer debt as well as money owed by businesses.
Mr Fraser made around £20m in 2006 when BCW sold its international outsourcing operations to a management buyout team. for £29m. This became Avance Group.
After founding the plush Ingliston Country Club near Bishopton, Renfrewshire, Mr Fraser is thought to have made a further £14m when Gothia bought the remaining credit management business in 2011.
Bertelsmann also owns businesses the publisher Random House and the RTL broadcasting and production combine.
