News.

James Katirai
  • NEL News & Insights
A deep-rooted focus on the North East
Head of Investments James Katirai talks about NEL’s mission, the value of our distinctive approach and how experiences in grassroots football continue to influence his professional journey.
Pictured from left to right: Richard McLoughlin, director at Valves & Flow Control Resources Limited & Michael Williams, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers
  • Investment News
NEL Fund Managers backs growth and job creation at Middlesbrough-based engineering supplier
Middlesbrough-based Valves & Flow Control Resources Limited (VFCR) has secured a five-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
NEL x Pablo Eggsgobao NPIF II investment
  • Investment News
NEL Fund Managers back Pablo Eggsgobao with six-figure NPIF II investment
A six-figure investment is fuelling the next stage of growth for one of the North East’s most recognisable independent food brands. The funding comes from NPIF II – NEL Debt Finance Fund, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers.
NEL Volunteering Day 17/06/2025
  • NEL News & Insights
Team NEL’s Volunteering Day at The Bread & Butter Thing
Some of the NEL team spent a day volunteering with The Bread and Butter Thing, which is tackling food waste while making healthy, nutritious food accessible to people who need it most in communities across the UK.
Pictured from left to right: Alex Walker, Founder of Awesome Franks Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank Susan Snowdon, Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers
  • Investment News
NEL Fund Managers backs female-led gourmet deli Awesome Franks with NPIF II investment
NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers, has announced a five-figure investment into Awesome Franks, a gourmet sandwich and deli concept set to open in Jesmond next month.
Pictured, from left to right, are: Susan Snowdon, Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers, Stephen Dial, Founder and Director of Charles Grey Menswear, Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank
  • Investment News
Charles Grey Menswear secures NPIF II funding from NEL to drive UK retail growth
Durham-based menswear brand, Charles Grey Menswear Limited, has secured a five-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers, to accelerate its fast-paced growth across the UK retail landscape.
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL Launches Bi-Monthly Teesside Brunch Club
NEL Fund Managers have launched a brand new bi-monthly networking event at Flok co-working space for Teesside-based professionals.
Pictured, from left to right, are Max Gilchrist, Mincoffs Solicitors' associate solicitor; David Cudlip, The Advisory Group director; Rachael Munro, NEL Fund Managers' investment executive; Graeme Harrison, CCBS director; and JH Partners Consulting Engineers' partners Shaun Lane, David Brown and Lee Nichols
  • Investment News
Seven-Figure NPIF II Investment Boosts JH Partners’ Growth
NEL Fund Managers is proud to announce a significant investment into JH Partners, a Durham-based mechanical, electrical, and digital engineering design consultancy which provides low-carbon, state-of-the-art design solutions across both the public and private sectors.
Pictured, from left to right, are Rachael Munro, Michael Williams and Susan Snowdon, Investment Executives at NEL Fund Managers.
  • Investment News
NEL Fund Managers reports record quarter, while completing largest NPIF II deal
NEL Fund Managers reports a record-breaking quarter, securing its largest deal to date and delivering strategic investments across sectors via NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans Fund and NPIF II - NEL Debt Finance Fund.
Pictured from left to right, Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, Dave O'Connell, Managing Director and Founder of Advantex, Lucy Elliott, Associate Director at FRP Advisory, Celia Yeates, Finance Manager at Advantex, Jane Siddle, Senior Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers & Chris Hughes, Partner at Mincoffs Solictiors
  • Investment News
Seven-Figure NPIF II – NEL Investment Supports Advantex Management Buyout
Award-winning IT, security, and communications provider Advantex has secured a seven-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Debt Finance to support a successful management buyout and drive its next phase of growth.
NEL Fund Managers Ends 2025 on a High with Strong NPIF II Investments
  • Investment News
NEL Fund Managers Ends 2025 on a High with Strong NPIF II Investments
As 2025 draws to a close, NEL Fund Managers is strengthening its position as a leading force for business growth, fuelled by strategic investments spanning a broad mandate and across a range of sectors across the North East.
Pictured from left to right, Shane Parkins, Founder of Climb & Conquer, Jonathan Armitage, Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers & Mark Wharton, Senior Portfolio Executive at NEL Fund Managers
  • Investment News, NEL News & Insights
NEL-Backed Climb & Conquer Hits £1m Turnover
Performance marketing agency Climb & Conquer has achieved a major growth milestone, from doubling its turnover in the 12 months following investment from NEL, to hitting turnovers exceeding £1 million.
The Qualis Collection
  • Investment News
Strategic six-figure NPIF II – NEL investment boosts growth for The Qualis Collection
Middlesbrough-based The Qualis Collection Ltd has secured a six-figure investment from NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers.
Pictured from left to right; Ayden De Beer, Financial Controller at Troo, Jane Siddle, Senior Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers, Andrew Richardson, CEO of Troo & Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank
  • Investment News
Troo secures seven-figure NPIF II investment from NEL to power AI platform growth
Business energy consultants Troo, based in Sunderland, has secured a seven-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Debt Finance, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers.
Pictured from left to right: Paolo Franchi, founder of Sanco & Jonathan Armitage, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers
  • Investment News
Sanco fires up Newcastle food scene with NPIF II – NEL investment
Sanco, a Newcastle-based Neapolitan pizza dining experience, has secured a strategic investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
Pictured from left to right: Gareth Humphreys, CEO, Solution Performance Group (SPG) Jane Siddle, Senior Investment Executive, NEL Fund Managers Carolyn McTaggart, Director of Operations, Solution Performance Group (SPG) Mark Wharton, Senior Portfolio Executive, NEL Fund Managers
  • Investment News, NEL News & Insights
NEL-backed Newcastle Tech Firm Wins Long-Term University Contract
A North East-based technology consultancy has secured the largest contract in its history following two rounds of investment from NEL Fund Managers.
Pictured from left to right; Founder of Simplified Operations, Helen Butler & Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers, Susan Snowdon
  • Investment News
NEL fuels growth of female-led Simplified Operations with NPIF II funding
Female-led consultancy Simplified Operations has secured a significant investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
Pictured from left to right: Chris Hird, Director at S&W, Jane Siddle, Senior Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers and Stephen Makinson, Director at Mechplant
  • Investment News
NPIF II – NEL backs Mechplant with investment to drive regional growth
One of the North East’s most established plant hire businesses is set to build on decades of success after securing a significant investment from NPIF II - NEL Debt Finance, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers.
Scaling-Up Local Investing for Place-Based Impact - The Good Economy Whitepaper
  • NEL News & Insights
Scaling-Up Local Investing for Place-Based Impact – The Good Economy Whitepaper
Whitepaper setting out a sector profile on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) finance as an investment opportunity for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) as part of a local investing strategy.
Paul Scott
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL Fund Managers: A conduit to unlocking growth
Access to finance is a crucial component of any small and medium-sized business’ growth plan. Chief Executive Paul Scott talks about the funding gap, NEL’s enhanced capabilities and the organisation’s ambition to unlock capital for firms to expand across the North.
The NEL Fund Managers Team
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL Fund Managers reflects on a record 2025
NEL Fund Managers is marking a year of record-breaking delivery across the North East and Teesside, with 2025 having firmly established the organisation as the region’s most active provider of alternative finance.
Pictured from left to right, Shane Parkins, Founder of Climb & Conquer, Jonathan Armitage, Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers & Mark Wharton, Senior Portfolio Executive at NEL Fund Managers
  • Investment News, NEL News & Insights
NEL-Backed Climb & Conquer Hits £1m Turnover
Performance marketing agency Climb & Conquer has achieved a major growth milestone, from doubling its turnover in the 12 months following investment from NEL, to hitting turnovers exceeding £1 million.
Paul Scott
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL Fund Managers: Investing in regional growth
For more than three decades, NEL Fund Managers has helped small and medium-sized businesses across the North East turn ambition into growth. Chief Executive Paul Scott talks about the organisation’s evolution, expanding reach and future ambitions.
NEL Female Founders Fireside
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL hosts Female Founders Fireside
NEL hosted their first Female Founders Fireside, in collaboration with British Business Bank and Barclays Eagle Labs. This inspiring panel event explored female founder journeys, business growth, leadership, and confidence.