North East Finance (NEF) is the holding fund manager for the Finance for Business North East programme. It is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the programme, both during the active investment period (to 31 December 2014) and through to the end of the expected realisation period (to 2020). The company has an experienced non-executive Board with responsibility for delivery of the objectives of the Programme. To assist in this, there is also an Advisory Board comprising experienced venture capitalists and finance professionals. North East Finance has a strong track record in developing regional investment funds and stimulating an entrepreneurial culture in the north east of England. The organisation was instrumental in the development of the Finance for Business funds, using its experience to act as a strategic advisor to guide the process and secure European Investment. Over the past decade, NEF's team was also responsible for sourcing and co-ordinating a range of innovative access to finance initiatives. This included the creation of a suite of early stage investment funds for fast growing SMEs - which used European Regional Development Fund and government backed finance - as well as business support products and mentoring schemes to stimulate enterprise and improve investor readiness.
