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Back to Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund News – Issue 2

Q&A: Meet the Fund Manager

Name: Ryan Bevington
Company: Maven
Job title: Investment Director
NPIF area: North West

1.      Describe a typical day as a fund manager?

The great thing about my job is that no two days are the same. Most days will start early in the office but I could be out meeting businesses, at networking events or in board meetings of portfolio companies. I get to meet some great people and see many interesting investment opportunities, although at the end of the day there will always be lots of calls and emails to return which can mean some fairly busy days!

2.      What is it like working with SMEs across the North?

The North is a dynamic region which has developed hugely since I started working in Manchester and Leeds 20 years ago. I think each city and region in the North has a slightly different feel to it but they all have a vibrant SME community underpinning the local economy. We enjoy working with these businesses to help them achieve their ambitions and meeting new businesses is the part of the job we enjoy most.

3.      What characteristics do you look for in a new deal?

The main thing is a strong management team, who have the experience, entrepreneurial drive and talent to build a successful business. We are sector agnostic and believe there are good businesses in every sector, and we understand the growing pains faced by most small businesses. We also like to think we provide more than just the capital to help a business grow, and try to lend our experience and network to support the businesses in different ways.

4.      What sectors should we keep an eye on in the North at the moment?

Niche manufacturing is a strong sector in the North and we hope to invest in a number of these businesses for the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. However, it is clear that the North has a burgeoning technology sector and many tech entrepreneurs are choosing the North as a base to grow their businesses due to the infrastructure and skills available.

5.      Proudest career achievement to date

Building the team and business we have now got in the North at Maven. When I started here around 11 years ago there were two of us in the office with one portfolio company. We now have a team of 12 people (and still growing), opened a new office in Preston and built a portfolio of over 30 companies in the North, with a good number of successful exits behind us.

6.      What do you do in your spare time?

I don’t have much of it due to three children aged five and under including a nine-week old, however, I do still play competitive lacrosse at the weekend. I also try to get out now and then to play golf and go to the odd Man City game, though I can’t remember the last time I did either!

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.

Editors Notes

Maven Capital Partners UK LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 495929