Review of the M&A Funding Market in the North West – Views from a cross-selection of leading local funders

Jeremy leads Cole Associates Corporate Finance (www.cole-group.co.uk), one of Manchester’s longest-established corporate finance ‘boutiques’. Cole Associates advise clients on acquisitions, management buy-outs and buy-ins, company sales and raising finance for growth. Jeremy was previously with PWC, including 3 years in the States.

Paul Ellaby is partner and  Head of Corporate at Trowers & Hamlins’ Manchester office. Paul has more than 24 years’ experience of advising on a broad range of corporate legal matters. He advises companies, their shareholders and directors at every stage of a company’s life-cycle from start up, through growth and acquisition, to succession and flotation. He has also advised on several take-privates, and has advised Nomads and private equity funders.

Fiona has over 15 years of transaction experience in a wide range of sectors with varying corporate and capital structures. She joined Foresight’s Manchester office following the successful raising of their second North West regional fund and is responsible for sourcing and completing new deals as well as managing portfolio businesses. Prior to Foresight, Fiona worked in the Corporate Finance team at Manchester Airport Group where she held a broad M&A and corporate finance role. Fiona started her career at Deloitte.

Simon has more than 30 years of banking experience, including more than 15 years in private equity-backed leverage finance. Simon recently served as HSBC’s Head of Mid-Market Financial Sponsors in the North. Having held the role for nearly a decade, Simon is well-known in the North west business lending market. Prior to HSBC Simon worked for Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank and Lloyds Bank.

ThinCats provides £1-15m in long-term debt funding tailored to the needs of mid-sized businesses.

Matt has been a Director in Shawbrook’s Corporate Lending team for over 6 years where he has assisted SMEs, sponsors and advisors with funding for a broad range of event-driven transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, refinancing for growth, management buy-outs and exits.

With over 12 years’ experience in the corporate banking sector, Matt has worked across various divisions including business development, risk and portfolio. This experience has provided Matt with in-depth understanding of the SME market which in turn enables him to take a more holistic and tailored approach when structuring funding solutions to help clients meet their objectives.

Leading an award-winning team of commercial and corporate bankers focussed on supporting mid-market, corporate and private equity backed businesses across North West, through the provision of higher value structured funding packages, working capital and money transmission services, delivered through a range of specialist products and lending solutions. Highly experienced banker with over 30 years within the Financial Services sector working predominantly within the North West region during this time.

Virgin Money is a modern and progressive bank backed by over 180 years of Clydesdale Bank & Yorkshire Bank heritage and part of the wider Virgin Group family. The 6th biggest bank in the UK, FTSE 250 listed with over 6.6m retail and business customers served digitally and through a national network of innovative stores and business banking centres.