Henley-in-Arden, UK, 3 December 2013. Venture capital fund manager Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is pleased to announce that Simon Cartmell has joined its Investment Panel.
With 30 years pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech experience gained in commercial, product development, supply chain, strategic leadership and corporate executive roles, Simon is a serial entrepreneur in early stage healthcare businesses. As CEO of ApaTech Ltd, a Queen Mary University of London spinout, he grew the spinout into a world leader in orthobiologics prior to its sale to Baxter for $330 million in March 2010.
Simon will join an Investment Panel of industry veterans and entrepreneurs bringing deep knowledge and operational experience in MFM’s key sectors.
The Investment Panel is part of MFM’s “full-support” investment philosophy. The VC fund manager backs businesses from start-up through to highly profitable operations. It uses both institutional and private investor funds under management to provide early stage, development and growth capital whilst additionally offering business support services including flexible accommodation.
This philosophy requires a deep level of understanding and validation of investment prospects through an external Investment Panel. The Investment Panel assesses investment prospects and also adds significant value to selected companies. Simon compliments the existing Investment Panel members with his knowledge as a private investor and successful entrepreneur in the life science and health care sector.
Mark Payton, Managing Director, MFM commented on the appointment: “Simon joins an external Investment Panel that already has a pedigree second to none. Our growing portfolio demands senior input and that’s why we are working with Simon. He has already contributed significantly in respect of our healthcare portfolio and we look forward to our closer relationship with Simon moving forwards.”
Simon Cartmell added: “Mercia Fund Management is funding some of the most exciting biomedical companies in the UK at the moment, so I am delighted to join the VC fund manager and share my expertise with its portfolio companies. My initial priority is to work closely with Mark Payton to identify new companies for EIS and Seed EIS investments.”
Prior to joining ApaTech in 2004 Simon was a Main Board Director of Celltech Group plc, serving as CEO of Celltech Pharmaceuticals, prior to which he served as COO of Vanguard Medica (later Vernalis plc). The early part of his career was spent at Glaxo/Glaxo Wellcome Plc in a series of senior UK and international commercial, supply chain and strategic development leadership roles.
Simon is currently part-time CEO of Calon Cardio-Technology Ltd, a Venture Partner and advisor to two UK-based major venture capital houses and supports pro bono a number schools and charities as a member of the Haberdashers Livery Company.
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About Mercia Fund Management
Mercia Fund Management (MFM) is a venture capital fund manager with over £19 million under active management.
MFM provides investment growth capital for businesses with a range of funding requirements from pre revenue businesses looking to establish early commercial traction through to those seeking expansion or working capital that are trading profitably. A high proportion of its investments are in businesses with innovative technology.
MFM is an FCA authorised and regulated fund manager under FSMA (FRN: 524856).