I have joined MSIF as part of the Team investing loan funds into businesses across Merseyside and the surrounding areas. MSIF have funds that cover all stages of every business - from Start Up Loans - through Growth and Development funding to Equity based investments.

Working with Businesses who are looking for help with raising finance or looking to refinance or restructure their existing debt. Also, I undertake full business wide diagnostics and help to identify and prioritise actions to enable growth and ensure sustainability.

Business Link NWManager of 11 remotely located Business Advisers across NW who cover Financial & Professional Companies. Over achieved on all objectives and receive regular positive feedback from the team regarding style of management and Team Building skills. Have increased my profile within the Management Team and am involved in many Internal Projects.

Worked with companies across a number of sectors who had clear and achievable aspirations and opportunities to grow. Some notable success stories in a short space of time

Previous role involved project management of European funded projects between DTI Approved Suppliers andMerseyside based SME's. Up to Jan 07 I have undertaken 275 projects (most within peer group) leading to investment of £800k of ERDF and levering £1.2m of private sector contribution. I became a qualified Prince 2 Practitioner in 2004.I specialise in assisting companies access the right finance at the right time, by having particular knowledge of lending schemes, providers of finance and using grant and equity funding networks. I undertake a minimum of 20 company visits per month raising awareness of Business Link services and using prescribed diagnostic tools help companies to bridge their skill gaps enabling them to grow both in terms of business but also workforce. I work closely with external partners and suppliers in this regard and have successfully built up a portfolio of support that can be referred into at the appropriate time.

Started with Business Link within the ICT and Finance Team. Visiting companies and also providing internal knowledge to colleagues of different finance types, mechanisms and providers. Built up a network of introducers and finance providers which have proved very useful to both clients and colleagues too. Partially completed Technology Means Business to improve ICT skills and the use of frameworks for businesses to assess potential suppliers. Successfully set up, rolled out and managed an ICT related grant scheme within a specific SRB area.

Worked with Suppliers of services, managing their projects and ensuring sign off support for European Funded activities. Spent in excess of £1m during a 4 year period. Worked with all sectors to assist companies with accessing finance and looking at IT solutions. Managed a specific local area grant scheme which added IT capability and Web access to over 50 local companies.

A new role that was set up to provide Start-up and SME customers with a dedicated specialist in all Business related matters. Initially working with a brief framework, I developed the role to the mutual benefit of both the Customer and the Bank. I set up and managed a Portfolio of 700+ Small Business Customers acting as a first point of contact, developing the Banker/Customer relationship.I undertook 25 proactive contacts per week, which included:-Established Business - Business Service Reviews, Lending Reviews, Customer Care reviews with Start-Ups, Introducer meetings and Prospect meetings.I built up a net work of Introducers who provide new Business opportunities, these include:- Internal Colleagues, Existing Customers, Accountants, IFA's and Local Enterprise Agencies including Business Link.I over achieved on Sales, Lending, Portfolio Activity and Customer Service Satisfaction targets whilst undertaking the role. I became the FIRST Business Manager out of 75 in the North of England to achieve NatWest Small Business Accreditation. The scheme was run jointly with NatWest, Durham University BusinessSchool and the Institute of Business Advisors.

First point of contact for dedicated portfolio of 250+ Business customers, in turnover bracket up to £1 million. Provided full support to Business Manager at all times undertaking Lending propositions and handling all complaints and service issues. Played a large part in achievement of Sales and Lending target for 4 consecutive years. Knowledge gained in all technical aspects of lending including security, Small Firms Loan scheme, Grant assistance. Responsible for all achievements relating to internal auditing. Acted as local branch Small Business Advisor also, gaining experience with business start-ups and obtaining new business from competitors.

Commenced Lending role initially with Personal customers, but quickly encompassing Business customers too. Attended Internal training courses with regard to Small Business customers. Started with own portfolio in 1992 of both Personal and Business customers. Integral part of setting up 'Business Centre' within Liverpool which started NatWest into Relationship Banking for Business customers. Part of a team that won a National Award for Customer Service.