NEL FUND MANAGERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business Development Executive
Carolyn joined NEL Fund Managers in 2018. Her responsibilities include generating a strong pipeline of investment opportunities from ambitious regional businesses by creating opportunities for collaboration with key intermediaries, business support networks and stakeholders.
Carolyn has a bachelor's degree in Business from Northumbria University and is an Associate Member of the Institute of Sales Managers. Prior to joining NEL she has worked in Business Development roles supporting SME's from various sectors and at different stages of development. She is a familiar face on the North East networking scene.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Accountant & Company Secretary
Dawn re-joined NEL Fund Managers in October 2012, she was previously with us from 2003-2006, and is responsible for the preparation of annual budgets, audits and tax, as well as overseeing the production of monthly management accounts.
She is Company Secretary for NEL and it's subsidiary companies and acts as FCA compliance officer for the organisation.
Dawn is also part of the Fund Design team, contributing to the development of innovative funding models to meet investors unique requirements.
Prior to joining NEL, she held roles in accounting practice, specialising in audit and tax. Dawn is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Donna joined NEL Fund Managers in 1995. She is responsible for the collection and analysis of investee financial information.
She is also part of NEL's Investor Relations team, preparing reports on the performance of investees and impact of invested funds under management to the Board of NEL, Fund Investors and other stakeholders.
Donna holds a First Class BA Honours Degree in Business Management & Leadership from Northumbria University.
Graham joined NEL Fund Managers in 2018. He is responsible for providing corporate governance and oversight of the investment decision process, as well as acting as a sounding board for the executive team.
His role also involves working to enhance the firm's relationships with key stakeholders both within and outside the region.
During his career he has filled senior management roles within global financial institutions, including Citigroup, Societe Generale and Lloyds Bank, and is a regular speaker at business events and conferences around the world. He has also held board-level positions in global investment, economic development and creative industry sectors, including with North East Access To Finance, Newcastle Science City and regional development agency One North East, where he was chairman of its Business & Skills Committee.
Graham is currently Head of Infrastructure and Investment at Urban Foresight, a strategy and innovation consultancy based in the North East. He is also a trustee and non-executive director of the BALTIC Centre For Contemporary Art, served as chairman of national music development agency Generator for seven years and recently completed a PhD in institutional investment markets for infrastructure at Newcastle University's Centre for Urban & Regional Development Studies (CURDS).
Job Titles:
- Finance and HR Coordinator
Jane joined NEL Fund Managers in December 2002. She is responsible for NEL's HR functions, staff training and development, and health and safety matters.
Jane is also responsible for the production of monthly management accounts for NEL and its funds under management, as well as dealing with investment returns, fund bank account set-up and management, and investor drawdowns and distributions.
Jane joined NEL Fund Managers in October 2007. She is responsible for sourcing and executing investment transactions with a focus on economic prosperity and generating impact for investors.
Prior to joining NEL she worked in various fund management roles in South Yorkshire and prior to that worked in practice in the North East in a variety of roles where she specialised in corporate finance and related matters.
Jane is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Certified Employee under the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime ("SM&CR").
Jonathan joined NEL Fund Managers in May 2018. He is responsible for sourcing and executing investment transactions with a focus on economic prosperity and generating impact for investors.
Prior to joining NEL he worked in various client facing roles specialising in business support and investor readiness.
Jonathan holds a BA Honours Degree in Management & Leisure from Manchester University.
Job Titles:
- Deputy CEO
- Portfolio Director
Jonathan joined NEL Fund Managers in 2004. He is responsible for the Portfolio team and the management of NEL's invested funds. He also leads on Investor Relations for funds in their realisation stage. He is a member of NEL's strategy committee and is chair of the portfolio committee.
His role involves developing well-defined and successful strategies to generate value for investors whilst ultimately creating a clear route towards successful fund closure.
Jonathan also acts as primary relationship manager for a number of portfolio companies.
Prior to joining NEL, Jonathan was employed by NatWest for 18 years in a number of senior commercial lending roles.
He is a Certified Employee under the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime ("SM&CR").
Karen joined NEL Fund Managers in September 2019 and acts as primary relationship manager for a number of portfolio companies.
Job Titles:
- Senior Portfolio Executive
Mark joined NEL Fund Managers in March 2017. He is responsible for developing tailored relationship strategies with a focus on achieving maximum impact for investors. He also acts as primary relationship manager for a number of portfolio companies.
Prior to joining NEL, Mark was employed by The Co-operative Bank for almost 30 years in a number of relationship roles within the corporate and commercial banking sectors.
Mike joined NEL Fund Managers in July 2016. He is responsible for sourcing and executing investment transactions with a focus on economic prosperity and generating impact for investors.
Prior to joining NEL he worked in various client facing roles across the North East and London in both advisory and executive capacities.
Mike holds separate degrees in Politics and Law from Nottingham University and has spent the duration of his career to date working to support growing SMEs with fund raising requirements.
He is a Certified Employee under the FCA Senior Managers and Certification Regime ("SM&CR").
Sam joined NEL Fund Managers in November 2019. His role involves providing administrative support to the whole team.
He also assists with investment transaction and fund reporting administration.
Steven joined NEL Fund Managers in 1997. He is responsible for all aspects of the organisations IT and Telecommunications.
His experience and expertise in database design and development have led to him creating a number of bespoke systems with a focus on intelligent fund management practices. These custom-built systems allow NEL to efficiently and effectively control all aspects of fund management for a wide range of investment products.
Steven is also part of the Fund Design team, contributing to the development of innovative funding models to meet investors unique requirements.
Suzanne joined NEL Fund Managers in 2007. She is responsible for the design and delivery of creative marketing strategies for the organisation and its funds under management.
Her role involves the positioning of funds in the market place, management of traditional and online communications, market research, event management and digital marketing.
Suzanne is also part of NEL's Investor Relations team, and in addition to communications and relationship management support, is responsible for preparing monthly reports to appraise investors on current fund successes and impact.
Suzanne holds a BA Honours Degree in Business Management & Leadership from Teesside University, and a Diploma in Professional Marketing through the Chartered Institute of Marketing, of which she is an Associate Member.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
Yvonne joined NEL Fund Managers in 2002. She is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of all teams within the organisation.
Her role also involves sourcing funds for management, fund design, achieving maximised returns and impact for investors, and investor relations.
Yvonne is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and an Associate Member of the Institute of Economic Development. She holds a DBA, MBA, IOD Diploma in Company Direction. Dr Gale's area of research is investment decision making. She is also a member of the Advisory and Decision Committee for the UAE Ministry of Finance-backed, Mohammed bin Rashid AED 2 billion Innovation Fund.
Prior to joining NEL, she qualified as a Chartered Accountant with a national accountancy firm and has held senior management positions in several high growth businesses. She brings a wealth of experience to the team of investing in high growth businesses.