Case study
Founded in 2013, Full Circle is an end-to-end event and exhibition services business offering a complete suite of exhibition products and services including custom stand-builds and in-house graphics through its sister company, PP Graphics.
| Region/Nation | North West |
|---|---|
| Sector | Arts, Entertainment and Leisure |
| Programme | Growth Equity |
| Partner |
Headquartered in Manchester, the group serves some of the largest event organisers and venues across the UK and Europe.
Support from the Bank
In 2023, the British Business Bank committed £30m to Panoramic Growth Equity’s Panoramic SME III fund as part of a final close of £100m. This funding enabled Glasgow-based Panoramic to provide growth investments and management buyouts for smaller UK businesses.
Panoramic is an experienced investor known for its partner-led approach focused solely on UK SMEs. Providing hybrid, debt, and equity financing, Panoramic is frequently the first source of institutional capital for the growing businesses it backs.
In 2024, Panoramic supported a management buyout (MBO) of Full Circle Events & Exhibitions and PP Graphics via a £6.26m investment. The transaction enabled 12 experienced employees, led by CEO Steve Comar, to invest in the business and assume majority ownership and management responsibility.
Impact of funding: what has Full Circle Events & Exhibitions gone on to do?
With a greater stake in the company's future, the new leadership team is well-positioned to drive continued innovation across both Full Circle and PP Graphics, capitalise on growing market appetite for face-to-face events and exhibitions across the UK and Europe, and secure a smooth generational transition that safeguards jobs and provides long-term stability for both clients and employees.
Looking ahead, Full Circle plans to build further upon its established market position, continuing to serve its core customer base of major event organisers and prominent venues across the UK and Europe while expanding its service offerings.
Steve Comar, Group CEO, Full Circle Events & Exhibitions:
Panoramic's support has been instrumental in helping us take this next step as a business. Their investment and partnership enabled the management buyout, giving our leadership team the opportunity to take a greater stake in the future of Full Circle and PP Graphics. Beyond the funding, we've benefited from working with a team that understands UK business and shares our long-term vision for growth. We're well positioned to invest in our people, expand our capabilities, and continue delivering exceptional experiences for our clients across the UK and Europe.
David Wilson, Partner at Panoramic Growth Equity:
We are thrilled to support Steve and the team as they take Full Circle and PP Graphics into this exciting new chapter. By backing this experienced leadership team, we look forward to helping them unlock new growth, scale their operations, and shape the future of the events and exhibitions market for years to come.