OCL Vision secures investment from BGF

Arrowpoint Advisory’s Healthcare sector team has advised the shareholders of award-winning OCL Vision; a premium ophthalmology group on its significant multi‐million-pound investment from BGF.

Founded in 2018 by leading eye surgeons Ali Mearza, Allon Barsam, and Romesh Angunawela and later joined by Chien Wong, OCL Vision delivers c.4,000 elective and clinical private procedures every year. The business has evolved from a single site on New Cavendish Street in London into a fast-growth, award-winning healthcare group with ambitious plans to expand across the UK.

The business currently has 12 surgeons and employs a team of over 60. It offers the full spectrum of specialist ophthalmic procedures across elective procedures (including laser vision correction and refractive lens replacement) and essential clinical procedures (including cataract, retinal, glaucoma and oculoplastic surgeries).

BGF’s investment will support the company’s new site rollouts, acquisition plans and continue to drive its strong organic growth strategy through enhanced marketing and sales capabilities. OCL Vision’s exceptional quality of care outcomes and its reputation for outstanding clinical practice, evidenced by its recent award for Best Healthcare Outcomes at the Laing Buisson Awards, underpins its strategic position in a UK private ophthalmology market.

In 2024, the founders further strengthened the business by hiring an experienced executive team – Nicholas Rudge as CEO and Darren Millington as CFO. As part of the deal, Suzanne Lawrence has been appointed as Non-Executive Chair bringing with her extensive executive leadership experience across both private and public healthcare (previously serving as CEO of Orbis Education & Care and currently holding the position of Chair at TFP Fertility Group).

Nicholas Rudge, CEO of OCL Vision, commented: “We believe there is a significant market opportunity to establish a leading premium ophthalmology brand across the UK. Recent trends in both the private medical insurance and self-pay markets, combined with private hospitals increasingly restricting access to individual ophthalmologists, highlight the unique position of our business. The support of BGF’s added value and expertise in growing healthcare businesses will be key as we continue our growth journey.”

Nicholas went on to add: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Arrowpoint Advisory team, who played a key role in supporting OCL Vision at this pivotal moment in its journey. They provided expert advice, hands-on support and insightful guidance from start to finish and we are delighted with the outcome.”

Alistair Brew, investor at BGF, said: “OCL Vision is exceptionally positioned to capitalise on growth opportunities in the rapidly expanding healthcare market. Its high-quality clinical outcomes and reputable brand combine to create a compelling opportunity to build a premier ophthalmology platform. We look forward to supporting the team on the next exciting phase of growth.”

Karen Dawaf, Managing Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, highlighted: “It was an absolute pleasure to work with the OCL Vision team on this transaction. The director surgeons and management team have built a quality platform, unique and pioneering in its field, and I am confident it will continue to go from strength to strength as the business scales.”

Dustin Stevens, Director at Arrowpoint Advisory, concluded: “Delighted to have supported the OCL Vision team on this major milestone for the business. The investment from BGF marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, building on the impressive growth achieved so far and further unlocking the platform’s potential. We look forward to watching the business capitalise on this momentum and continue to thrive.”

Contact the deal team

DISCOVER our sell-side transactions