Interview with William Jackson, CEO and Chair of the Bridgepoint group

In this interview, William Jackson, Chairman of Bridgepoint and co-chair of the Bridgepoint Investment Committee, discusses Bridgepoint evolution Bridgepoint the modernization of its investment strategy.Bridgepoint positionsBridgepoint as one of the leading players in the European mid-market private equity sector, with a focus on companies valued at up to approximately €1 billion. The firm relies on a strong local presence, deep sector expertise, and total immersion in the European mid-market segment. William Jackson explains that the 2008 financial crisis marked a major turning point for the private equity industry. Prior to that period, sustained economic growth allowed for strong returns across many sectors. Since then, increased competition and market sophistication have made greater specialization, a more structured investment thesis, and an enhanced ability to create operational value essential.Bridgepoint thus strengthened its approach around three key sectors: business services, advanced industries, and healthcare. The goal is to identify promising niches, monitor companies for several years before investing, and build a clear value creation thesis from the moment of acquisition. The video also highlights the growing use of data in the investment process. While not replacing human judgment, the analysis of historical data provides a better understanding of margins, past growth, valuation multiples, and sector-specific risks. This discipline is rooted in a mindset of “constructive anxiety”: remaining vigilant, avoiding complacency, and constantly seeking to improve investment methods. Several examples illustrate this approach, notably Vivacy in medical aesthetics, Winder in energy transition infrastructure, and MiQ in programmatic advertising. These investments demonstrate how Bridgepoint sector expertise, long-term origination, and multiple value creation levers. Finally, William Jackson shares his vision of the private equity market. In his view, price discipline, consistent investing, and access to well-equipped platforms will become increasingly critical. In the medium term, the industry is expected to continue consolidating, as the top funds will need significant resources to maintain high performance.