FW Capital strengthens its portfolio team with a new appointment

FW Capital, one of the UK’s largest regional fund managers, has announced the appointment of Simon Robb as Portfolio Manager to head up its team of Portfolio Executives based across the North West and South West who manage investments from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II and South West Investment Fund.

Based in the firm's Liverpool office he brings over 30 years of extensive financial services experience to the role, joining from Maven Capital Partners. He has gained extensive corporate and commercial experience working for High Street and international banks in the UK as well as the private equity sector, where he managed both loan facilities and equity investments across businesses of varying sizes.

As well as managing the team of Portfolio Executives, Simon will assist SMEs who have accessed funding from the British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II that provide loans across Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. Simon will also support businesses who have accessed the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund which provides debt finance to businesses in Bristol, Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.

Simon Robb, Portfolio Manager at FW Capital said: “I’m very pleased to join FW Capital. This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a growing organisation with a fantastic track record of supporting entrepreneurialism, job creation  and innovation. I’m looking forward to adding value and helping to drive further growth for businesses in the North West and South West.”

Gary Guest, FW Capital Fund Director added: “Simon’s appointment reinforces our commitment to bringing top-tier financial talent to FW Capital and strengthening our team even further. He brings a brilliant mix of corporate lending and equity investment expertise, which will perfectly complement our existing team and help us deliver even greater support to local business communities across the North West and South West.”

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.

FW Capital can provide loans in the NPIF II area with a primary focus on the North West regions of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside.

The South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead. 

FW Capital provides debt finance using the South West Investment Fund to businesses in Bristol, Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.