NEL Fund Managers celebrates over £100m investment in regional SMEs

NEL Fund Managers has taken the total amount it has invested in growing regional companies past the £100m mark.

The company has made 847 investments across the North East since being set up in 1989, creating and securing countless jobs within hundreds of companies along the way.

Since becoming regulated for the conduct of investment business in 1993, it has managed 13 different funds, and is now responsible for two of the five funds that make up the £120m North East Fund Supported By The European Regional Development Fund.

Meanwhile, the £18m North East Growth Capital Fund has been designed to create around 790 jobs in over 70 local firms over the programme’s lifespan. It offers unsecured investments of up to £500k to established businesses looking to realise growth potential.

Dr Yvonne Gale, chief executive officer at NEL Fund Managers, said: “This landmark demonstrates the consistent flow of commercially-strong ideas that keep coming from North East entrepreneurs and we’re proud of the positive impact on development of the regional economy that has followed from our support of them.

“Having ready access to investment capital is essential for ambitious businesses wanting to move through the different stages of their development, and many of the firms that we’ve backed have used this capital as the bedrock for future national and international success.

“Our continuing mission is to keep helping regional firms implement sustainable business growth models that enable them to create more and better jobs, and we have a strong flow of investment proposals coming in that will allow us to do this.”

A total of 64 investments have been made from the two funds since launching in April 2018, and NEL is continuing to actively look for further investment opportunities.

Jason Hobbs, chief executive at the North East Fund, added: “NEL has and continues to play a key role in delivering investment for SMEs via the North East Fund, especially in the current climate where business support is essential to help drive the region’s economic growth.

“It is a significant milestone to hit and one which will have helped many North East companies to reach their growth potential and create new jobs, therefore we look forward to working closely with the team moving forward.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →