FW Capital Expands its Manchester NPIF II team

Fund manager FW Capital has announced the appointment of Andrew Baxter as Investment Executive to strengthen its Manchester NPIF II team, which manages NPIF II – FW Capital Debt Finance as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).

Following Andrew’s appointment, SMEs across the North West will benefit from increased support in securing growth funding. With over twenty years’ experience in commercial and corporate banking, Andrew brings extensive financial expertise and a proven track record in supporting businesses. Having previously held senior positions at Handelsbanken and RBS, Andrew will play a key role in assisting companies across the Greater Manchester region, helping them to unlock growth opportunities and expand their businesses 

Laura Rees, Fund Manager at FW Capital commented: “Andrew is an accomplished finance professional, with a wealth of experience in the banking sector. Well regarded across the North West professional community, he joins us from Handelsbanken, where he worked for over 15 years. His expertise and track record make him a fantastic addition to our team, and I’m delighted to welcome him on board.”

Andrew Baxter, Investment Executive at FW Capital added: “I’m excited to work with SMEs across Greater Manchester that are looking to scale but may face challenges accessing finance through traditional routes. Being able to support businesses in overcoming these barriers and making a real difference to their future success is something I’m passionate about. NPIF II has already backed an impressive range of companies, and this is a fantastic time to be supporting business growth.”

Sue Barnard, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Manchester, and indeed the North West, continues to be a hub for forward-thinking, innovative businesses to grow and thrive. Through NPIF II, we’re ensuring these ambitious founders have access to the capital they need to scale up, and with this latest appointment, the FW Capital team is well placed to continue accelerating growth through debt finance.”

The £660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIFII) covers the entire North of England and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help a range of small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.

The purpose of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for the North’s smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and help to break down barriers in access to finance.