Angus Reid Sells Remaining Shares in Vision Critical

Vancouver, Canada-based research community and survey technology specialist Vision Critical has sold a 'significant portion' of its shares to private equity firm W Capital Partners and existing shareholder Georgian Partners, for $76m. Reports say Angus Reid's share of the sale was $44m.

NB $CAN 76m is approximately $US 56.8m.

Pollster Angus Reid (pictured) helped drive early expansion of Vision Critical with an investment in 2002. The firm was founded by his son Andrew Reid, who left the company in the autumn but remains a significant shareholder. In 2013, Reid senior sold around $10.5m worth of company shares, which he partly used to set up not-for-profit research institute Angus Reid Institute, and he now says he is looking forward to investing more time in the project and in other philanthropic activities. He will be replaced on the Vision Critical Board by W Capital Partners' MDs Alison Killilea and Blake Heston.

CEO Scott Miller comments: 'The leadership position that continues to fuel the growth of Vision Critical is firmly grounded in the vision and entrepreneurial management of Andrew Reid and Angus Reid. With the new long-term investor support that we have now put in place, the company is superbly positioned for its next phase of growth as a critical source of customer intelligence for the world's leading brands'.

Web site: www.visioncritical.com . Share values were reported on www.theglobeandmail.com .