Our portfolio makes a difference to customers and communities during the pandemic.
As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities, businesses and countries, our portfolio companies have been working tirelessly to help. Central to our investment strategy to create value for our investors is focusing on businesses that provide must-have products or services to their customers. This characteristic of all our companies has been made even more critical as they continue to support their customers during the pandemic.
Our portfolio has been on the front foot in the fight against the virus adapting products or services, investing in supporting the workforce as lockdowns around the world were introduced, and playing active roles in the different communities of which our companies play a part.
Adapting production lines for healthcare products
Many of our portfolio companies are able to provide practical help and started doing soon after the virus arrived in continental Europe.
Arkopharma
Arkopharma, the European leader in natural medicine and dietary supplements, substantially increased its production of its immune supporting products such as vitamins. It has also dedicated one of its product lines to producing a new product, antiseptic hand washing gel, for the local community to ensure that local businesses, local healthcare workers can continue to work safely. Since production started Arkopharma has donated over 100,000 tubes of antiseptic gel.
Nemera
Nemera, a manufacturer of complex healthcare delivery devices, has been producing a component that is used in COVID-19 testing kits, as well as transforming its bottles and dermal pumps into hydro alcoholic gel dispensers. These dispensers were donated to hydro alcoholic gel manufacturers, such as IDD-Xpert and hospitals.
As countries and economies begin to open and restart, our companies will continue to support both efforts against the virus and to maintain the health of our people and customers.
Facilitating patient care
Not only has our portfolio been supporting the effort through the manufacture and production of healthcare products, a number of our businesses provide the software and services necessary for healthcare and social care workers to tend to patients’ needs.
Maincare
Due to social distancing and other restrictions on movement and proximity, the ways that doctors see patients has had to change. In response, Maincare, specialists in hospital administration software, launched Mediconsult – a SaaS based tele-medicine platform that is mobile and tablet compatible. It allows doctors to perform video consultations and monitor the status of patients with COVID-19 remotely. Since its launch it has been used by tens of thousands of doctors and has facilitated over 250,000 virtual consultations.
Servelec
Servelec, a provider of healthcare and case management software to NHS trusts and local authorities, has extended its product portfolio that can be implemented with a flexible and nimble approach to meet customers’ evolving needs. The business has also launched a wellbeing app, which helps the NHS and local authorities monitor the mental and physical health of their employees and includes lots of resources and advice.
Servelec has also increased the rate and extent of communication with its customer base. has also added six new forms to its social care case management software, Mosaic, to capture information about vulnerable people who are potentially at risk of harm, isolation and neglect especially caused by COVID-19.
The company’s patient administration system (“Oceano”) is in place at the NHS Nightingale Hospital Birmingham. The deployment of Oceano, in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, will support care providers at this crucial time, helping cut down the administrative burden and allowing them to use data more accurately as patients are admitted and treated.
Making a difference in communities
A number of our businesses are also making a difference in their local communities.
Funeral Partners
Funeral Partners’ branches have been supporting the high risk and vulnerable by taking food and pharmacy supplies to them. The company has also adapted its services so that the wishes of families can be met in a manner that adheres to the government restrictions, including driving hearses through communities, providing digital access to services, and flexible payment options.
OASIS
Employees in our portfolio have also found enterprising ways to help. Matt Dyson, Head of Product Development at OASIS Group, together with some friends and neighbours, are 3D printing personal protective equipment and putting together care packages for healthcare workers in his local community.
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Across our portfolio there are many more stories and examples of both individuals and businesses using their knowledge and resources to help healthcare workers and local communities during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Our companies will continue to share best practice and will work tirelessly to protect their people and customers from the virus.