Maven appoints new Investment Specialists across the Midlands

Based in Birmingham, Chris has responsibility for new MEIF investments and will work closely with investee companies throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Chris joins Maven after a 30-year career in commercial banking with RBS, as a Senior Relationship Manager, providing structural guidance and financial analysis to SMEs.

Working across Greater Lincolnshire, Richard has joined Maven following a long career in banking, most recently as Corporate Manager at Handelsbanken. Graham brings over 40 years’ extensive experience having worked as a Senior Business Manager with Lloyds TSB and Business Adviser advising SME. He will focus on the South East Midlands area, which includes Luton, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire.

Maven now has offices in Nottingham and Birmingham, putting its highly skilled team with considerable in-depth knowledge of the local SME market, at the heart of the main centres of Midlands business and transaction activity. The team are working closely with local chambers, advisors and support organisations in assisting local businesses to identify and access the right funding and support for their needs.

No two areas of the UK are the same and since MEIF Maven Debt Finance launched last year, Maven has developed regional focused strategies, tailoring its approach to tackle the specific barriers local SMEs face in each LEP. This strategy has now been supplemented with the recruitment of an Investment Specialist in support of each region, who will each bring a wealth of knowledge of the area and be embedded in the local business community.

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund aims to transform the finance landscape for smaller businesses (SME) in the Midlands and to realise the region’s potential to achieve economic growth through enterprise. MEIF Maven Debt Finance targets ambitious SMEs across the Midlands and gives them the opportunity to access funding alongside strategic and operational support from Maven’s local team. The fund can be utilised to support range of SME corporate requirements which may be crucial to achieving long-term prosperity in the Midlands.

 “At Maven we understand the importance of having a local presence. We are delighted to welcome Chris, Richard and Graham to the team to further strengthen our presence across the region. All three already have considerable in-depth knowledge of the local SME market, and a range of specialist knowledge allied to the national resource of Maven’s UK business.

 “The Midlands has a well-deserved reputation as a centre for pioneering growth companies of tomorrow that help drive the UK economy. We are pleased to have expanded our MEIF debt fund team further and look forward to continuing our support for SMEs across the region to help them grow, access new markets and prosper.”

Andrew Ferguson, Partner at Maven

 “Our Fund Manager partners play a crucial part in the Midlands Engine Investment Fund's commitment to regional business growth and work closely with SMEs throughout the finance application process and beyond, providing advice on how to use investment to scale effectively.

“By making additions to its team, Maven is not only reaffirming its commitment to the MEIF but increasing the amount of expertise available to the region's SMEs. I look forward to seeing how these new team members contribute to ensuring that Midlands businesses can access the finance they need to facilitate their growth ambitions."

Grant Peggie, Director, at the British Business Bank

If you are a business based in the Midlands looking for funding to grow then why not speak to one of Maven's investment professionals in Birmingham: 0121 231 7125 or Nottingham: 0115 935 2016.