Darlington entrepreneur receives six-figure investment to expand across the pond

A six figure investment from NPIF - FW Capital Debt Finance, part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), is helping Debbi Moore Designs expand in America.

The Darlington-based specialised craft supplier and manufacturer develops and sells craft materials both wholesale and to the general public.

The business also delivers a wide range of events, exhibitions and trade shows across the year and its digital offer has over 20,000 online subscribers.

Owner, Debbi Moore is a well-known in her field, regularly appearing as a TV demonstrator on Create and Craft TV in the UK and the USA.

As the founder and managing director of Debbi Moore Designs, she said: “I am very excited to have this amazing opportunity to expand both in the UK as well as the USA.

“It has enabled my company to grow in areas that I had not thought possible and this couldn’t have happened without the backing from FW Capital.”

The NPIF investment will enable the management team to strengthen its online offer, purchase cutting edge new technology, create four new jobs and launch in the US.

The American craft market is ten times bigger than the UK’s, which according to the 2016 Craft Intelligence Report, is worth £3.4bn to the British economy.

Steve Teasdale, investment executive at FW Capital, added: “Debbi Moore Designs is an established company with a solid sales strategy led by an experienced and ambitious management team.

“This investment will enable the company to extend its product offer online and reach a much larger audience, especially as it pushes into the United States.”

Operating from the British Business Bank’s Sheffield head office, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund provides a mix of debt and equity funding (£25k to £2m).

It works alongside 10 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the combined authorities and Growth Hubs, as well as local accountants, fund managers and banks, to support Northern-based SMEs at all stages of their development.