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BGF has completed a significant multi‐million-pound investment into award-winning OCL Vision, a premium ophthalmology group.
Founded in 2018, by leading eye surgeons Ali Mearza, Allon Barsam and Romesh Angunawela, and later joined by Chien Wong, OCL Vision delivers almost 4,000 elective and clinical private procedures every year. The new funding will support the company’s new site rollouts and enable further organic growth, through enhanced marketing and sales capabilities.
The business has evolved from a single site on New Cavendish Street in London into a high- growth healthcare group, with three fast-growing sites and ambitious plans to expand across the UK.
OCL Vision, which recorded double-digit growth in patient numbers and revenue in 2024, currently has 12 surgeons and employs a wider team of 60. The group offers the full spectrum of specialist ophthalmic procedures across two core segments: elective procedures, including laser vision correction and refractive lens replacement, and essential clinical procedures, including cataract, retinal, glaucoma and oculoplastic surgeries.
The business recently won Best Healthcare Outcomes at the Laing Buisson Awards in 2024. In addition, OCL Vision’s exceptional quality of care outcomes, and its reputation for outstanding clinical practice, were recently recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) — underpinning its strategic position in a UK private ophthalmology market recently valued at approximately £590 million.
OCL recently strengthened its executive team, appointing Nicholas Rudge as CEO and Darren Millington as CFO, with Suzanne Lawrence joining as Non-Executive Chair, through BGF’s Talent Network. With extensive executive leadership experience across the private and public healthcare sectors, Suzanne previously served as CEO of Orbis Education & Care and currently holds 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 Value Creation team and expertise in growing healthcare businesses will be key as we continue our growth journey.”
Alistair Brew, Investor at BGF, added: “OCL Vision is a great example of a fast-growing healthcare business that has demonstrated exceptional clinical outcomes and a strong commercial trajectory. With a reputation for excellence and an ambitious expansion strategy, the business is poised to capitalise on the increasing demand for high-quality ophthalmology services across the UK.
“At BGF, we are committed to backing innovative, high-potential businesses that are driving growth and setting new industry standards. Our investment in OCL Vision aligns with our track record of supporting dynamic businesses to scale their operations, strengthen their market position, and deliver long-term value. We look forward to working with the team as they continue to expand and build a premier ophthalmology platform.”
The transaction was led by Alistair Brew, Karolina Sokolowska and Dylan Kaye of BGF’s London investment team.
