Pulse Power and Measurement expands BGF INVESTS £6.25M IN WATCHMAKER CHRISTOPHER WARD

The Business Growth Fund, (BGF) has invested £6.25 million in Christopher Ward, the Maidenhead-based premium British watch brand.

Founded in 2005 by Mike France, Chris Ward and Peter Ellis, the company has grown to become the UK’s leading direct-to-consumer watch brand, with customers in more than 100 countries.

Christopher Ward timepieces combine British style with Swiss watchmaking skills. The brand specialises in mechanical and quartz watches, designed in the UK and manufactured in Biel, Switzerland. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the brand’s own Swiss-made movement, Calibre SH21.

Christopher Ward’s current watch collection includes dress, dive, aviation and motorsport watches, as well as a collaborative collection with the Worcestershire-based British car maker Morgan.

With a head office in Maidenhead and a workshop in Biel, the business now employs 45 people, processing 22,000 orders per year and generating sales of £10.5 million.

The £6.25 million investment from BGF will support Christopher Ward’s long-term growth strategy, providing the capital and resources to expand the watchmaker’s market presence and product lines.

Mike France, CEO and cofounder of Christopher Ward, said: “We’ve made great progress in 14 years. We are delighted to have BGF as our partner for the next phase.”

James Austin, an investor at BGF who will join the board of the company, said: “Christopher Ward is a fantastic example of great British entrepreneurialism, becoming a truly credible player in the luxury watch market over the last decade.”