Two key members of the investment team at the North East’s longest-standing business investor have earned promotions on the back of the impact of their work with growing companies across the region.
Jane Siddle and Mike Guellard have been made senior investment executives at NEL Fund Managers after helping dozens of North East firms successfully secure growth capital investments that enable them to bring in new equipment, launch new products and services and create new jobs.
A qualified chartered accountant with a specialism in corporate finance, Jane joined NEL in 2007 after working in practice in the North East and also undertaking various fund management roles in South Yorkshire.
Mike returned to the region to join NEL in 2016 after working in the banking and finance sector in both the North East and London for organisations including HSBC, Entrust, business microloan provider Fair Finance and investment portal Funding Xchange.
NEL is currently responsible for managing two elements of the £120m North East Fund Supported By The European Regional Development Fund – the £9m North East Small Loan Fund and the £18m North East Growth Capital Fund.
Despite having to predominantly work separately and remotely through most of 2021, NEL reported its busiest ever investment year last year, completing 61 separate investments worth a total of more than £5.5m in businesses across Tyne & Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.
Dr Yvonne Gale, chief executive at NEL Fund Managers, says: “Jane and Mike have been cornerstones of our investment team for many years and thoroughly deserve the promotions that they’re earned.
“Their expertise, knowledge and dedication has been central to the growth plans of dozens of North East businesses being successfully realised, and despite the many challenges of the last two years, they have helped to maintain the crucial flow of growth capital into the regional economy.
“In their new roles, Jane and Mike have an even greater role to play in bringing new growth ideas to fruition that will help to create and sustain regional employment, support new ideas and innovation, and unlock further sources of capital for the North East’s most ambitious companies.”
The overarching £120m North East Fund will provide financial support for more than 600 businesses, creating around 2,500 jobs and delivering a legacy of up to £80m for further investment into the region.
For more information about NEL’s investment criteria, contact the investment team on 0345 369 7007.