Lewis Stringer Email & Phone Number

Sheffield

I moved to the new UK Network Team at the British Business Bank in October 2018, again, covering the East and South-East Midlands and continuing to support the delivery of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). The UK Network Team has been established to help build British Business Bank’s regional capability, providing BBB with detailed insights in to each UK region’s characteristics, challenges and priorities, from a SME access to finance perspective. Also, to support the delivery of the Bank’s demand strategy working with these regional organisations, helping ensure that SMEs across the UK understand their finance options and know how to access sources of investment, and to deepen the Bank’s engagement with and influence in each of the UK regions, identifying opportunities to strengthen SME access to finance ecosystems throughout the UK.Some of the key responsibilities in this role may include:• Information gathering – working on information gathering workstreams, which aid the effective collection, coordination and distillation of regional information and insights from colleagues in the field, from desktop research and from other sources as appropriate.• Analysis and assessment - interrogating certain regional data sets that we will build and then help to build a positive feedback loop to improve the data sets we gather. Interrogate the data sets for insights into market / ecosystem gaps and examples of best practice across the regions. • On-going monitoring & control - assist in the monitoring of performance, risk identification & tracking, effective actions to ensure strong RNT field and central team cohesion.

Sheffield, United Kingdom

I joined the British Business Bank, from Nottingham City Council, in October 2016 as the MEIF Senior Relationship Manager, covering the East and South-East Midlands. The British Business Bank are a government-owned business development bank dedicated to making finance markets work better for smaller businesses. Whether you’re looking for finance to start a business, grow to the next level, or stay ahead of the competition, the Bank is delivering greater volume and choice of finance.The Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) is a £250m 'fund-of-funds' was launched in September 2017 and providing equity, debt, small business loans and early stage, proof-of-concept funding for SMEs across the four LEPs that make-up the East and South-East Midlands.

Nottingham, United Kingdom

My role at Nottingham City Council was expanded to include Accountable Body responsibilities for the D2N2 LEP, the largest in the East and South-East Midlands, which has given me an additional insight into the operation and strategic direction of LEPs and the Midlands Engine. In addition, on a day-to-day basis, my role supported the D2N2 Growth Hub, offering specialist advice and guidance on access to finance both in Nottingham and the wider area, including other regional and national programmes. This support included organising, attending and presenting at a range of meetings and events. Therefore, I have a good knowledge of the emerging Growth Hub structures that are being developed by LEPs.I also took a leading role in the 'Pitchfest' (pitching for investment) competitions run for both Venturefest East Midlands 2015, in Nottingham, and 2016, in Leicester, respectively.

Nottingham

Delivery of the £10 million Regional Growth Fund (RGF) Round 3 funded Nottingham Technology Grant Fund (N’Tech) programme, a key element of Nottingham’s City Deal. This programme achieved a ‘Green’ rating from both BIS and DCLG, significantly overachieving in terms of businesses supported (93), job creation and safeguarding (1,483 jobs), and private sector leverage generated (£43.294 million).I have had continued responsibility, for the last three and a half years, for a number of access to finance initiatives. This includes the development and contract management of the £1 million Creative Quarter Loan Fund and £1 million Nottingham Social Impact Fund, in partnership with FEBA and the Key Fund respectively, attending regular loan panels. And also includes monitoring the City Council’s £1 million investment in the Foresight Nottingham Fund (an Enterprise Capital Fund managed by the British Business Bank), another key element of Nottingham’s City Deal, and attendance on this fund’s Investor Advisory Committee. I have played an active role in the investment readiness programmes delivered by Foresight Group (Nottingham Pitch Perfect) and at both Venturefest East Midlands 2015 and Venturefest East Midlands 2016, high profile events sponsored by Innovate UK in Nottingham and Leicester respectively.Since July 2015, I have led on the work that has resulted in the current Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) proposal on behalf of the five East and South-East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), chairing the A2F Steering Group and building strong relationships at Board and officer level with each of these LEPs. From August 2015, this has also increasingly involved working in partnership with the six West Midlands LEPs and I have regularly attended their equivalent A2F Steering Group meetings, again, building strong relationships at Board and officer level.

Sheffield

Supporting the transition of RDA interests in venture capital and loan funds (VCLFs) to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), focusing on Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) and other 'Small Loans for Business' loan funds across the English regions.The monitoring of the CDFI and loan funds often involves joint working with colleagues from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), as they are also funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). I am in the process of consulting with BIS Local offices and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) on the use of legacy funds generated by the CDFI and loan funds.Also supporting the Debt Team at Capital for Enterprise Limited with the delivery and management of BIS' Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) scheme, a Government security guarantee scheme to participating lenders aimed at supporting the availability of investment funding, working capital and refinancing for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK, through term lending, overdraft and invoice finance facilities of between £10,000 to £1 million. Duties in relation to the EFG scheme include negotiating lender allocations for this £500 million scheme, accreditation and training of new lenders, acting as the first point of contact for enquiries from both lenders and borrowers, approving audit reports on lenders, drafting scheme manuals, using the scheme's Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system (the Web Portal), on-going policy discussions with BIS, and reviewing legal agreements and scheme guidelines.Looking at a number of variants to the ‘core’ EFG scheme to improve utilisation by both lenders and borrowers, leading on a ‘pilot’ programme involving trade credit finance. This £30 million pilot programme was announced in the Autumn Statement in December 2012 and is being developed with the Kingfisher Group plc (specifically the B & Q and Screwfix brands).

Nottingham

Promoted to role in 2010, managing nine staff in the delivery of the Agency's access to finance initiatives, managing an annual budget of £7.5m Single Programme, as well as European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding of £2.5m.Leading on the transfer of emda's legacy grant projects for both the Grant for Business Investment (GBI) and Grant for Research and Development (GRD) schemes, and the Agency's interests in venture capital and loan funds (VCLFs), to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). This includes taking a lead role on GBI and the VCLFs.

Nottingham

Promoted to role in 2007, managing four staff in the delivery of the GBI scheme, with an annual budget of £3.5m Single Programme, as well as ERDF funding.Led on Business Support Simplification Programme policy discussions with BIS on GBI and a number of other access to finance programmes, ensuring compliance with Solutions for Business.Development and project management of the regional Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) fund, a £4.8m loan fund launched in July 2008. Subsequently secured an additional £1m ERDF.Development and project management of the East Midlands Transition Loan Fund (TLF), a £6m loan fund launched in February 2009, as part of BIS' response to the 'credit crunch'.

Nottingham

Responsible for the delivery of BIS' main grant scheme for businesses, GBI, awarding grants of between £10,000 and £2m for capital for investment projects. Primary contact for BIS on national policy for and regional delivery of GBI.emda representative on the joint Regional Industrial Development Board (RIDB) with Yorkshire Forward, presenting large cases and recruiting East Midlands' Board members.Project manager for Connect InvoRed investment readiness programme, securing substantial funding for the programme and supporting the development of this programme into national 'best practice' over a number of years.Project manager for the Lachesis Fund, a venture capital seed fund for new technologies being developed by the region's five main universities, securing £3.35m Single Programme and ERDF funding and negotiating a complex funding agreement with the universities and fund manager.

Worksop

Promoted to role in 2000, managing the Council's Economic Development Team, reporting directly to the Head of Economic Regeneration and Tourism.Leading on a range of diverse economic development projects and accessing funding to support these projects, against Bassetlaw's Economic Development Strategy.Also leading on a number of significant Rapid Response Fund bids to support people affected by large scale redundancies in the District, working in partnership with employment and training providers.Drafting an Action Plan in response to these redundancies and securing the support of agencies to deliver a series of susbstantial regeneration projects.

Worksop

Working with partners to maximise the potential for the economic development and regeneration of Bassetlaw.Securing external funding, such as ERDF, European Social Fund (ESF), Lottery Fund, Phoenix Fund and Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), for local initiatives and projects.Managing the Council's grant and loan scheme for businesses, the Bassetlaw Enterprise Board, offering funding up to £5,000.Acting as the Council's first point of contact for business support, inward investment and land and property enquiries.

West Midlands

Whilst working in the Small Business Centre at the Kidderminster Branch of Lloyds Banking Group, I managed a portfolio of over 250 small business customers, across a number of branches and sub-branches, with a lending book in excess of £25 million. I worked at Lloyds Banking Group for over five years, at various branches, in personal and business banking lending roles.

Diploma In Town Planning (Pass With Distinction), Planning, Pass With Distinction

Ba (Hons) In Urban Planning And Management (First Class), Planning, First Class Honours Degree

4 'A' Levels, Economics, Geography, History And General Studies, Grade B, Two Grade Cs And Grade D

Grade B for Geography Grade C for Economics Grade C for History Grade D for General Studies

11 'O' Levels / Gcses (8 'O' Levels At Grade A), Including English Language And Mathematics At Grade A, 8 Grade As, 2 Grade Bs And 1 Grade C

Grade A - English Language Grade A - English Literature Grade A - Mathematics Grade A - Economics Grade A - General Studies Grade.