FW Capital strengthens North West team

FW Capital has bolstered its North West team with the appointment of Junior Bent to support the delivery of investment to local businesses through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

Junior will be based in FW Capital’s Preston office and will be responsible for managing the growing number of businesses in the North West which have received investment from NPIF FW Capital Debt Finance - managed by FW Capital and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

Junior started his career as a professional footballer playing for Burnley, Bristol City, Stoke City and Shrewsbury Town. Following his retirement from professional football, Junior has worked in the North West banking and finance sector for over 20 years including positions at Barclays, NatWest, Lombard and most recently Propel Asset Finance.

Junior Bent, FW Capital Portfolio Executive, said:  “Managing relationships and adding value is really important to me and I’m thrilled to join FW Capital and use my knowledge and expertise to support local businesses who need support and investment to achieve their growth ambitions.”

Gary Guest, FW Capital North West  Fund Director, said: “Having access to capital is proving more critical than ever for businesses which are looking to safeguard and create new jobs.  Our role at FW Capital is key and it is vital to have the right people and expertise to help these businesses to reach their potential.  Junior is a great addition to our team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will benefit businesses across the region and will help us to drive further growth through the provision of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.”

Sean Huchinson at the British Business Bank, said: “NPIF – FW Capital Debt Finance continues to be an important source of funding for businesses of all sizes and sectors and its’s great to see the team growing. Junior’s appointment will further help deliver investment for businesses in the North West of England.”

Junior’s appointment comes at a time when FW Capital’s support of local businesses is going from strength to strength.  Loans totalling £35.5m were made directly by FW Capital during the last financial year which attracted co-investment of £69m from the private sector, underlining FW Capital’s long-term economic impact on the North of England. The investments have helped local businesses create and safeguard 1,677 jobs - a 79% increase from the previous year’s figures of 935.

FW Capital can provide loans of £100,000 to £750,000 in the NPIF region with a focus on Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and the Tees Valley.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European