About us.

NEL was founded in 1989 as the first regional investment management company in the North East of England. Set up with a founding mission to revitalise the local business economy, we have been committed to empowering growth through solutions-focused finance ever since.

With over three decades of experience, NEL has successfully managed 17 investment funds sourced from both the private and public sectors, each with a distinct investment mandate. Our unique experience of investing across multiple economic cycles and systemic events effectively demonstrates our agility and resilience, and our ability to navigate changing market conditions effectively.

In 2016, the NEL team took control of the business through the formation of an Employee Ownership Trust.

As an employee-owned investment management firm, our team is deeply committed to NEL’s mission, core values, and the success of both our own business and the funds we manage. Further, it ensures that the team are fully invested in achieving the most positive outcomes for our portfolio, creating a direct alignment of interests with our investors.

We are extremely proud of our heritage and have built on this with a consistent and dynamic vision to deliver exceptional performance for our investors, establishing ourselves as a trusted and valuable partner in the investment management landscape.

Investors will find in NEL a partner with a proven history of successfully delivering against their mandates while navigating complex market dynamics. Our disciplined investment processes, combined with our adaptive strategies, position us to maximise returns and mitigate risks, even in volatile environments.

Your partner to a prosperous future.

Our approach.

NEL specialises in solutions-based investing. We provide not only capital, but also strategic support and flexible funding structures that are tailored to the specific requirements of our portfolio companies.

We are committed to providing fair access to finance, championing the view that businesses of all varieties should have the opportunity to reach their growth potential. We have a strong focus as part of our robust Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policy to attract and fairly consider a diverse range of business proposals. By promoting EDI and supporting minority-led businesses, we build diverse and inclusive portfolios that foster innovation and sustainable growth, enhancing their ability to thrive in a competitive market.

Our investment strategy.

NEL’s investment strategy focusses on addressing the financing needs of the underserved Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) market, whose finance needs are not being adequately addressed by traditional funding sources.

We specialise in both secured and unsecured debt models, including senior, stretched senior, unitranche, and mezzanine financing structures, offering bespoke, flexible solutions with a commitment to swift execution and decision-making.

The board.

Graham Thrower

Chairman

Jonathan Luke

Non-Executive Director

Paul Scott

Chief Executive Officer

Judith Hartley

Non-Executive Director

Trevor Castledine

Non-Executive Director

Graham Thrower

Chairman

Jonathan Luke

Chief Executive Officer

Paul Scott

Chief Investment Officer

Carolyn McGregor

Business Development Executive

Our team.

Dawn Chambers

Corporate Accountant & Company Secretary

Donna Walker

Portfolio Analyst

Jane Heneghan

Finance and HR Coordinator

Jane Siddle

Senior Investment Executive

Senior Investment Executive

Jonathan Armitage

Investment Executive

Karen Bestry

Portfolio Executive

Mark Wharton

Senior Portfolio Executive

Michael Williams

Investment Executive

Mike Guellard

Senior Investment Executive

Rachael Munro

Investment Executive

Sarah Carr

Investment Support Executive

Steven Iley

Technology & Data Officer

Susan Snowdon

Investment Executive

Suzanne Smith

Marketing Manager

Lois Prest

Marketing Executive

James Katirai

Head of Investments

Donna Walker

Portfolio Analyst

Jane Heneghan

Finance and HR Coordinator

Jane Siddle

Senior Investment Executive

Jonathan Armitage

Investment Executive

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