Growth Investment

Robert Cawdron

Lives in: Southwell, Nottinghamshire           

Works: Throughout the East Midlands with occasional trips to our London and Belfast offices.

At work: I am an Investment Executive and Portfolio Manager for the East Midlands Early Growth Fund. I manage the Nottingham office of E-Synergy which I opened in July 2008 to service increasing investment activity by the Fund. The office has since become the Fund’s HQ in the region. I am involved in all aspects of the Fund, from initial enquiries through to due diligence, investment decisions, completion documentation and portfolio management. I sit on the Fund’s Investment Committee and E-Synergy’s Compliance Committee.

Why: I enjoy the challenges of investing in and working with innovative companies with high growth potential. The Fund is specifically targeted at the so-called “equity gap”.

The Company: The East Midlands Early Growth Fund is a £5 million venture capital fund which was set up to invest in early-stage businesses based in the East Midlands. We look for companies with compelling business propositions, some element of innovation or first-mover advantage and clear growth potential, across all sectors. We are frequently the first institutional investor in a company, after funding from family and friends, and we will invest from £20,000 up to £250,000 alongside other private sector investors. The East Midlands Early Growth Fund is one of several funds which E-Synergy manages.

After work: Triathlons, tennis, squash, golf, surfing, skiing, not to mention friends, family and two children, so guess how much time I have for the aforementioned activities!