Tell us what attracted you to join the NWF?
I found the challenge that NWF was established to address fascinating. It feels like we are at the start of a decades long journey of change across our energy and infrastructure network in the UK, and I wanted to be involved in transactions that would facilitate this change.
Investors like NWF are required to support acceleration of the roll out of recently established technology as well as to develop new and innovative ideas. NWF has the necessary blend of skills and experience from private and public sector backgrounds to meet UK policy and impact requirements whilst structuring investments for a return commensurate with the risks we are taking. I like to learn from every transaction and there is plenty of scope to do that here!
What does your role involve?
I am responsible for NWF’s equity investment activities and, in particular, developing our direct investment capabilities. This involves many meetings with prospective investee companies and their advisors, assessing the viability of growing businesses and suitability of their business plan with our investment mandate to drive growth and acceleration to net zero in the UK. We will then take attractive prospects through due diligence and our multi-stage investment committee process and negotiate legal documentation though to a successful completion.
What is the NWF like to work for?
The purpose and mission of NWF is clear and underpins the commitment and collaboration I experience across the business. I find the working environment stimulating due to the novel nature of each investment proposition and the need to consider policy fit and detailed impact considerations alongside more traditional economic assessment.
What were you doing before you joined the Fund, and how has your experience helped with the role you are now doing?
I have been involved in infrastructure and energy investment for 25 years, encompassing roles in advisory, senior debt and, for the last 15 years, equity investment. My most recent role was as Managing Director at Dalmore Capital, a UK based independent fund manager with c£6bn AUM. I joined the company early in its journey taking on many roles but, culminating in leading the origination and execution of new investments. The role frequently involved sitting on boards of investee companies including FTSE-250 scale infrastructure and energy businesses. The experiences as advisor, lender and investor have given me a rounded view of what’s required to finance and grow a successful business including how to best mitigate sector-specific and inherent investment risks.
What are your highlights/ proudest achievements since joining the NWF?
The team here has achieved a great deal having closed seven direct equity investments in a little over a year since I joined the business. At a personal level I was very proud to represent NWF speaking at a 10 Downing Street reception for the semiconductor industry, which is one of many we have supported in our equity investment activities to-date.
What are you looking forward to next at the NWF?
Many things. As well as keeping a close watch on how our investee companies develop I am looking forward to seeing how NWF’s mandate might broaden with the development of the UK’s Industrial Strategy during 2025.
What would you say to anyone thinking of applying for a role here?
You will not be bored! The breadth of our mandate, access to capital and the appetite to take on appropriate profit-seeking risk in pursuit of our mission mean NWF is a positive and forward-thinking place to work.