For more than four decades, Balmoral Group has invested in businesses, people and communities, driven by a belief that business can be a force for good.
Today, the Aberdeen-headquartered company is entering a new chapter – one focused not simply on preserving the success it has built, but on creating a multi-generational legacy of generosity that will continue to benefit businesses and charitable causes for decades to come.
Balmoral Group’s new strategy is rooted in a vision long championed by founder Sir Jim Milne CBE: to ensure the value created through the Group’s portfolio continues to support future generations.
That means building a business capable of long-term growth while continuing the vital work and initiatives led by the Milne Family Foundation and Friends of ANCHOR.
Corporate Director Kevin Binnie explains that the sale of Balmoral Comtec earlier this year was a strategic decision to help shape the future of the Group, as it transitions to a family office model, committed to strengthening the charitable legacy that sits at the heart of Sir Jim Milne’s vision.
“A significant portion of the Group’s value was tied up in one company and one sector,” says Kevin.
“By realising the value of the business we had created, the sale was about creating a platform for Balmoral’s future. This will help us to build a more diversified investment portfolio which gives us more flexibility and opportunity to create long-term value in different ways.”
Diversification sits at the heart of Balmoral Group’s future strategy. Having built significant value in Balmoral Comtec, the Group is now building a balanced portfolio spanning listed investments, property and private investments – be that direct or co-investments, giving it greater resilience while creating opportunities across a range of sectors.
Kevin believes this approach is the strongest path forward as it provides “flexibility” to respond to changing markets, while maintaining a long-term outlook.
He said: “The attraction of this new model is the flexibility it gives us. Over the past five or six years the world has experienced several shocks, and the best way of withstanding those shocks is to have a portfolio that is balanced and well-spread.”
Direct investment opportunities will primarily focus on UK companies, including smaller profitable companies where Balmoral Group can work closely with management teams, offering the expertise to help grow and drive value in those businesses.
However, alongside direct investments which offer greater control, Kevin explained that the Group also sees value in private equity co-investments, which would provide access to specialist sectors.
“We would be keen to potentially partner with specialists which allows us to target markets where we currently don’t have specialism.
“However, by leveraging on that specialism skillset we could access higher growth markets and high-quality teams.
“It’s all about the team we will be partnering with. Working with a good quality team is a great driver for us, rather than fixed geographies.”
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For Balmoral Group, this transition represents more than a new investment model. It is about creating lasting impact and a business that is resilient, purpose-driven and built for generations to come.
While the investment strategy is changing, the values that have defined Balmoral Group for more than 45 years remain unchanged.
The ongoing work of the Milne Family Foundation and Friends of ANCHOR are priorities embedded in the fabric of the Group and will continue to be supported into the future, ensuring that commercial success directly contributes to improving lives locally, and around the world.
