Souter Investments, the private investment vehicle of transport tycoon Brian Souter, has revealed that the value of its portfolio has risen by 41% over the last three years, with investments at March 2010 totalling £400 million.
"This compares well against the performance of Britain’s largest quoted companies," said Brian Souter, following the publication of Souter Investments’ first Update and Investment Review.
Souter Investments was set up in 2006 by Brian Souter and Andy Macfie, an experienced investor with more than 20 years in private equity, to create a diverse portfolio of traditional investments including property and quoted stocks but increasingly unquoted investments.
The bedrock of the portfolio is Stagecoach Group. It accounts for 50% of the Souter family’s investments. Souter Investments also has sizable stakes in Sunseeker, the luxury yacht brand, Alexander Dennis, Britain’s biggest bus and coach builder, Argent, the biofuel business, the insurer esure, price aggregator Gocompare as well as a New Zealand bus and ferry group.
Brian Souter continued: “The value of our investments has risen handsomely despite the world experiencing the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.
"As prospects for a double dip recession recede we look forward to the future with confidence. Our deal flow is strong and we continue to see many interesting opportunities to invest at attractive valuations."
Andy Macfie added: "Our portfolio has performed well and diversified significantly over the last 3 years. We have a substantial war chest available to us and look forward to continuing to invest in sound companies with good prospects, whilst remaining alive to opportunities in other asset classes."
Souter Investments has grown to a team of five with offices in Edinburgh and Perth.