Enterprise Ventures has appointed a new Investment Manager to its SME Loans team to manage the increasing business activity in the North of England.
Chris Carter, who has over 11 years of experience in the financial industry, will primarily be investing in established SMEs, working across Enterprise Ventures’ offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Preston. Chris will be focusing on new investment opportunities into established, profitable businesses. He will offer loans between £150k and £1.0million for development capital purposes or to fund transactions such as Management Buy-Outs or share acquisitions.
Chris began his career in finance in 2005. He spent three years at HSBC before moving on to NatWest Bank as a Business Manager, during which time he covered the East Lancashire area.
After working in several finance roles across Liverpool and Manchester, Chris worked at RBS Corporate Banking in Leeds, first as an Assistant Director and subsequently as a Relationship Director. Chris focused on mid-market origination whilst managing relationships with a number of corporate clients.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris said:
“I have supported businesses across the North of England throughout my career and have seen their potential to boost the local and national economy and create jobs for the community.
“Enterprise Ventures has a good track record of backing growing SMEs and I look forward to working with the team to support the increasing number of businesses in the region that are seeking capital.”
Investment Director Paul Taberner said:
“We are delighted to have appointed Chris to the loans team. Enterprise Ventures is keen to work with the banking community to invest in SMEs alongside traditional bank debt. Chris’s networks within regional banking will enable us to do just that.”
The Enterprise Ventures SME Loans fund was launched in June 2015 and provides loan capital to established and growing SMEs nationally, but with a particular focus on the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside. At launch, the fund received £40.0million of investment from Greater Manchester Pension Fund and Santander UK plc.
The fund has provided loans to a range of different businesses across the North of England, and works well alongside bank debt and other funders.