Bridgepoint, the London-listed private equity group, has recruited a former head of the Royal Air Force (RAF) as it seeks to tap into a growing pipeline of security and defence-related investments across Europe.
Sky News has learnt that Sir Mike Wigston, who retired as Chief of the Air Staff in 2023 after a 37-year career, is joining the buyout firm as a partner.
The appointment of one of Britain's most senior former military personnel underlines the interest among financial investors in deploying capital into an area which traditionally saw relatively patchy commitments from private equity firms.
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City sources said that Sir Mike was joining the board of three of Bridgepoint's portfolio companies as part of its move to build a greater presence in defence investing at a time of unprecedented interest among governments in drawing private funds into the sector.
Wes Streeting, the defence secretary, will host a Defence Investment Summit in London on December 1, with the event focused on "specific, investable opportunities and strengthen[ing] collaboration across the defence ecosystem", according to a copy of the invitation seen by Sky News.
His predecessor, John Healey, resigned earlier this year after criticising Sir Keir Starmer's defence spending commitments, before being persuaded to return to the cabinet by Andy Burnham.
Bridgepoint's growing interest in the defence sector has seen it hold private talks with a number of European governments, including the UK, about collaborating to support efforts to build resilience and defensive capabilities.
The three companies which Sir Mike is becoming a director of are MyDefence, an anti-drone technology company; Comrod, a provider of tactical radio frequency communications products and Umag, a drone-based subsurface sensing company.
Sources said Bridgepoint also intended to focus further efforts on areas such as technology, cyber-resilience and biosecurity.
A spokesman for the firm declined to comment.
(c) Sky News 2026: Bridgepoint lands former RAF chief as defence investments take off
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