FW Capital announces new Managing Director and Fund Director for the North East and Yorkshire

Fund manager FW Capital has strengthened its senior leadership team with two promotions.

Joanne Whitfield becomes Managing Director of FW Capital in England, while Lindsey McMenamin has been appointed Fund Director, leading teams across the North East and Yorkshire. FW Capital has invested more than £400m since 2010, leveraging more than £590m of private sector investment for nearly 1,000 businesses. The team currently manage a portfolio of nine funds across England.

Joanne joined FW Capital as its first employee in England in 2010 and has played a central role in its growth over the past 16 years.

In the newly created role, she will lead FW Capital’s strategy and growth across England, including fund delivery, stakeholder engagement and new investment opportunities. She will work alongside Rhian Elston, Chief Investment Officer for the Development Bank of Wales Group and Chief Executive of FW Capital, following the retirement of Mike Owen.

FW Capital is part of the Development Bank of Wales Group, one of the UK’s largest SME investors, which manages funds worth more than £2.6 billion.

Lindsey McMenamin becomes Fund Director after almost a decade with FW Capital and 25 years in SME fund management. Based in Newcastle, she will lead the investment and portfolio teams across the North East and Yorkshire, supporting fund delivery and economic impact.

Rhian Elston, Chief Executive of FW Capital, said: “Joanne and Lindsey’s well-deserved appointments strengthen FW Capital’s leadership team as we look to the next phase of growth. As part of the Development Bank of Wales Group, FW Capital combines deep regional knowledge with the scale and expertise of one of the UK’s largest SME investors, helping us deliver more for our fund investors and the ambitious businesses that we support.”

Joanne Whitfield, Managing Director at FW Capital, said: ““It is a privilege to lead FW Capital’s operations in England. Over the past 16 years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team, and I am proud of the impact we have delivered. I look forward to working with Rhian and Lindsey to build on that success, expand opportunities and help even more businesses access the finance they need. The work we do makes a tangible difference to businesses, communities and regional economies, and I’m deeply committed to supporting that growth.”

Lindsey McMenamin, Fund Director, added: “I’m looking forward to leading our North East and Yorkshire teams and helping ambitious businesses access the finance and expertise they need to grow, innovate and create high-quality jobs. FW Capital has a strong track record of delivering positive outcomes for stakeholders, built on an outstanding culture and a focus on customer service. The regional investment funds we manage play a vital role in unlocking opportunities and breaking down barriers to growth, and I’m excited to work alongside our talented teams to help even more businesses realise their ambitions.”