FW Capital expands its Newcastle property investment team

FW Capital has strengthened its North East Property team with two new appointments. Chris Dixon joins as Senior Investment Executive and Lewis Blakelock as Assistant Investment Executive. 

Both will work from FW Capital’s Newcastle office and support local property developers with development funding to bring forward commercial and residential development projects. This includes the recently launched £35million North East Commercial Investment Property Fund which is managed by FW Capital and backed by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It aims to address the funding gap in the market and drive economic growth and create new jobs in the North East LEP area.

Prior to joining FW Capital, Chris had a career spanning 25 years with Allied Irish Bank (GB). In his role as Head of the Newcastle Business Centre, he managed a team and mixed portfolio of sectors with a strong specialism in property development and prior was Head of the bank’s Property team.

Before joining FW Capital, Lewis spent 2 years in commercial and residential portfolio management with over five years senior management and leadership experience. He has a first class honours, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Entrepreneurial Business Management with a level 5 CMI Diploma in management and leadership.

FW Capital North East Fund Director, Joanne Whitfield said: “ I am very pleased to welcome Chris and Lewis to the team. Both bring extensive experience and contacts in the North East property and business community. Their key focus is supporting local commercial property developers, helping them to reach their potential and improve the provision of high-quality business premises in our region. One way this can be achieved is by providing access funding from the new North East Commercial Property Investment Fund.”

Chris Dixon, Senior Investment Executive, Property at FW Capital added: “I am looking forward to supporting local businesses who are seeking investment to support future growth and job creation. Having worked in the banking sector for over 25 years it is great to be involved with a new challenge and sharing my knowledge in the local property sector.”

Lewis Blakelock Assistant Investment Executive, Property FW Capital said: “In my new role I am responsible for sourcing, appraising, and delivering property development investments, in addition to providing operational support to the property team. I have a built up a strong business network and am excited to bring access to funding which will boost commercial property developments locally.”