Direct Investments

2016 – A year of growth as Mercia’s team strengthens

[Pictured: Mark Volanthen]

2016 is to be a year of growth for Mercia Technologies PLC, a Midlands-based investment group building, funding and commercialising technology businesses in the UK, following the addition of three new team members across both the investment and support departments, bringing the total to 24 employees. Mercia will continue to grow its team as it increases operations in its core focus regions across the Midlands, North of England and Scotland, as well as enhancing its capabilities within its technology sector focus.

Mercia has appointed Mark Volanthen as Investment Director, Head of Electronics and Hardware. Gavin Ingram and Gina Hood have also joined the team, and will work mainly within Mercia Fund Management (MFM), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercia Technologies, to support MFM’s network of investors and advisers associated with its growing third party funds under management.

As Investment Director, Mark Volanthen will continue to build and commercialise Mercia’s existing businesses within Electronics and Hardware, as well as source new opportunities to build on MFM’s early stage portfolio. Mark has extensive experience supporting businesses across a wide range of sectors, including oil & gas, defence and communications. He also holds various positions on a number of boards, including Chairman of Oxifree Global Ltd, and Non-Executive Director of Rawwater Engineering Company Ltd.

Gavin Ingram, who will be based at Mercia’s newly-opened Edinburgh office, will manage relationships with MFM’s growing community of advisers and clients across Scotland and the North. Gavin is an experienced Investment Sales Manager specialising in structured products, IHT portfolios, EIS & SEIS portfolios, VCTs and Investment Trusts. Gavin has previously had numerous roles over many years within the finance sector.

Appointed as Fund Relations Associate, Gina Hood is the newest addition to the Mercia team and will be working closely with MFM’s investors and advisers to manage MFM’s range of EIS & SEIS funds. Previously, Gina was Senior Investment Administrator at NFU Mutual.

Mark Payton, CEO of Mercia Technologies, said:

“We have spent considerable time building an industry-leading team across Mercia. It is great to see our team grow as we enter into 2016 and continue to build our portfolio of early stage technology businesses, which can then lead on to be ‘emerging stars’ benefiting from direct investment and scale from Mercia Technologies. Mark, Gavin and Gina will ensure that we not only continue to source exciting, scalable new investments in the Midlands, North and Scotland, but also that we support and build existing portfolio companies, whilst remaining committed to strong lines of communication and support with all of our key stakeholders across the Mercia Group.”