Fund Manager FW Capital has announced the expansion of its North East investment team with the appointment of Matt Elliott, Max Woodhouse and Ruby Knowles. The new arrivals will focus specifically on the delivery of the North East Elevate Fund, a dedicated fund designed to support SMEs across Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, and County Durham with the capital they need to scale.
These new appointments signal a significant reinforcement of FW Capital’s presence in the North East to deliver this fund, ensuring that local businesses have access to both the expertise and the flexible funding required to drive economic prosperity and job creation.
The £35m Elevate Fund, launched in October last year and championed by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, is designed to support business growth and innovation across the region. It is backed by the North East Combined Authority and managed by FW Capital to provide loans and mixed loan/equity investments of up to £1 million for established businesses.
The new team members bring a diverse range of financial expertise to FW Capital. Matt Elliott joins the team as a Senior Investment Executive, bringing a proven track record in corporate banking starting at Barclays and most recently working at Handelsbanken. Matt is passionate about working closely with SMEs across the North East, helping them to access tailored funding solutions to facilitate growth.
Max Woodhouse joins FW Capital as Investment Executive, bringing nearly a decade of audit, accountancy and corporate finance experience. A Chartered Accountant (ACA), he has acted as a lead adviser to shareholders and management teams, helping maximise value across acquisitions, disposals, fundraising, strategic reviews, valuations and due diligence. His sector experience spans technology, leisure and hospitality, professional services, manufacturing and specialist engineering – expertise that complements the team and supports businesses in the North of England with funding for growth.
Ruby Knowles joins as Assistant Investment Executive with a solid background in accountancy and audit having graduated from the University of Hull with a First-Class Honours degree in Accountancy and Financial Management. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) and most recently worked at S&W Group completing their graduate scheme. Ruby will play a key role in identifying and evaluating investment opportunities throughout the region, enabling businesses to scale, innovate, and build resilience. She will be focused on supporting businesses seeking micro-loans and was recently involved in the funding for Newcastle’s Reform Studio.
Joanne Whitfield, Fund Director at FW Capital, said: “Welcoming Matt, Max, and Ruby to the team marks a significant step forward in our mission to support the North East’s most ambitious businesses. Their collective experience complements our existing team, strengthening our position in the local market. The North East Elevate Fund is designed to be a catalyst for growth, and with this team’s combined expertise, we are better positioned than ever to provide the hands-on support and flexible finance that regional entrepreneurs deserve.”