Accessing Finance: What Funders Are Really Looking For (Rochdale)
Securing funding is not just about having a good idea. It is about demonstrating strong planning, clear financials and a realistic path to growth. This session explores what lenders and investors expect to see and how you can prepare your business more effectively.
We will cover how to improve your financial visibility, present your numbers with confidence and avoid common mistakes that slow decisions down. Whether you are actively seeking funding or planning ahead, this session will help you approach the process with more clarity and confidence.
About the Speakers:
As Director and Founder of ALF Recruit, Gavin leads a specialist recruitment consultancy focused on delivering high-quality, long-term hiring solutions across Finance, Accountancy, Financial Services, Executive Search and Business Support.
He partners with PE-backed, SME and owner-managed businesses across the North West, supporting senior and qualified finance, C-suite, transactional finance and business support hires through a consultative, headhunt-led approach.
His focus is on quality over quantity, clear communication, and strong cultural alignment, ensuring both clients and candidates receive a professional, transparent and well-managed experience.
At ALF Recruit, the goal is simple: to deliver high-performing long-term hires and build trusted partnerships that create lasting value for businesses and people alike.
Carl Hankinson is a senior banking leader at NatWest with extensive experience working alongside businesses, entrepreneurs and public sector partners to drive economic growth, innovation and investment across the UK. Alongside his corporate career, he serves as the UK Chief Volunteer for The Scouts, leading and supporting one of the nation’s largest volunteer movements and championing opportunities for young people to develop skills for life. Carl is also a Deputy Lieutenant, reflecting his longstanding commitment to public and community service.
Carl is Passionate about leadership, social mobility, regional economic development and creating opportunities for future generations, Carl brings a unique perspective that combines commercial expertise with a deep commitment to community service and civic leadership.
Based in our Manchester office, I am responsible for originating and executing investments in eligible SME businesses seeking funding from the £115 million NPIF II – Debt Finance Fund, which provides loan facilities ranging from £100k to £2m. Prior to joining FW Capital in 2017, I spent 10 years in Commercial Banking at NatWest.
Jenny joined Maven in January 2025 and is based in the Manchester office. She is a Director in the portfolio team in the region with responsibility for supporting the growth of the portfolio companies across the North of England, which includes leading follow on investments from Maven’s VCTs, NPIF and other Maven funds. She has also lead smaller, new investments.
Prior to joining Maven, Jenny was Global CFO and European COO at Credico, a privately owned business operating across the US, UK, South Africa, and mainland Europe. She began her career at PwC in Manchester in Audit & Assurance before moving into the Business Recovery team in London. Jenny then spent almost a decade in Australia, working first with Deloitte, followed by senior finance roles in both privately owned and listed companies. She later joined Vodafone in a sales role. Returning to the UK in 2010, she took on finance and operational positions focused on driving profitability through operational change.
Jenny has an BA Honours Degree in Politics & Economics from the University of Newcastle and is an FCA with the ICAEW.
Outside of work Jenny enjoys playing hockey for Sale, daily HIIT workouts, challenging herself mountain biking and watching football.
Interested In The Event?
If you’re interested in attending, you can book online here.
For any further enquires about this event, contact [email protected]
