News.

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.
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.
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).
Alternative Finance Provider of the Year
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL Named Alternative Finance Provider of the Year at the 2025 Insider Dealmakers Awards – For the Second Year Running
We’re absolutely thrilled to have been named Alternative Finance Provider of the Year at the 2025 North East Insider Media Dealmakers Awards, marking our second consecutive win.
Future Planning: Exit, Succession & Beyond
  • NEL News & Insights
Future Planning: Exit, Succession & Beyond – North East Entrepreneurs Share Candid Insights
NEL Fund Managers and Clive Owen LLP hosted an exclusive roundtable bringing together entrepreneurs from across the region to share honest reflections on exit strategies, succession planning and long-term growth.
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: 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.
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.
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, are Susan Snowdon, Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers, Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank and Bethany Ainsley, Founder of OptiMe
  • Investment News
NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans makes a five-figure investment to OptiMe
NPIF II - NEL Smaller Loans which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) has announced a five-figure investment in OptiMe, a leading workplace wellbeing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform and app focused on revolutionising mental health support for employees across the UK.
(from left) Sarah Newbould, Senior Manager at the British Business Bank, Michael Cantwell, Corporate Finance Partner at Clive Owen LLP, Michael Dobson, Managing Director at Sapphire HR, and Susan Snowdon, Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers.
  • Investment News
Sapphire HR secures NPIF II investment to drive growth and seize market opportunities
An ambitious North East HR firm is rolling out its expansion plans with the help of a five-figure loan from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans Fund, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
: (from left) Veronica Swindale, Managing Director at nesma, Mike Guellard, Senior Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers, and Paul Sutherland, Commercial Director at nesma.
  • Investment News
North East marketing training company expands following NPIF II funding
A North East marketing and PR training company is looking to capitalise on its creative expansion plans following a loan from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II).
Mike Guellard, Senior Investment Executive at NEL Fund Managers
  • NEL News & Insights
Q&A with Mike Guellard
In this Q&A, we hear from Mike Guellard, senior investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, as he discusses the vital role of funds such as the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) in the North East.
NEL Fund Managers widens investment reach with new Tees Valley office | NEL Fund Managers
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL Fund Managers widens investment reach with new Tees Valley office
The North East’s most active business investor is establishing a new office in Teesside to help maximise its investment presence right across the region.
Jane Siddle, Senior Investment Executive, NEL Fund Managers
  • NEL News & Insights
NEL views on the launch of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II
The British Business Bank has recently launched the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), bringing with it £660m to invest in businesses across the North, aimed at fostering growth and prosperity.
Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II Launch Photo
  • NEL News & Insights
Launch of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II provides £660m boost for small businesses
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), aims to build on the success of the initial fund, with the purpose of driving sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North.
  • NEL News & Insights
North East Growth Capital Fund
Jonathan Luke, CEO of NEL Fund Managers
  • NEL News & Insights
Financial checks that every business should carry out during the cost of living crisis